Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – The Grinnell College Pioneers were picked to win the Midwest Conference (MWC) women’s tennis championship for the sixth consecutive year, according to the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, announced Thursday.
The poll, conducted among the league’s seven head coaches – who could not vote for their own teams – awarded Grinnell 36 points and six first-place votes, to top all teams. The Pioneers finished last season 19-10 overall, including a perfect 6-0 record against MWC opponents. They captured the program’s 19th conference championship and made their 14th NCAA Tournament appearance.
Lake Forest College finished second in the poll with 31 points and collected the remaining first-place vote.
Cornell College was selected third overall with 26 points, ahead of Illinois College (19), Lawrence University (14), Ripon College (11) and Monmouth College (10).
The 2025-26 campaign opens on Saturday, August 30, with six teams in non-conference action. MWC play begins on Saturday, September 13.
Regular season play will culminate with the 2025 MWC Women’s Tennis Individual Tournament scheduled for October 18-19 at the Nielsen Tennis Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
In the spring, the league’s top four teams will headline the 2026 MWC Women’s Tennis Team Tournament on Saturday, May 2. The winner of the single elimination event will receive the MWC tournament title and the automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Tournament.
Full results and quick facts for all seven teams can be found below:
2025 MWC Women’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (6) – 36 points
2. Lake Forest College (1) – 31 points
3. Cornell College – 26 points
4. Illinois College – 19 points
5. Lawrence University – 14 points
6. Ripon College – 11 points
7. Monmouth College – 10 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Trent Schneider (5th Season)
2024-25: 18-9 (overall), 4-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Mac Graves (Jr); Tansy Graves (Jr); Jenna Benkufsky (So)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Zack Hasenyager (5th Season)
2024-25: 19-10 (overall), 6-0 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Anika Sheth (Sr); Addie Persian (Jr); Kayla Surpless (So); Keira Healy (So); Paige Sargent (Jr)
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Scott Weakley (4th Season)
2024-25: 13-10 (overall), 3-3 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Scot Reinhart (5th Season)
2024-25: 16-5 (overall), 5-1 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Sofia Strupovents,
2023 MWC Player of the Year, 2023 MWC Newcomer of the Year (Jr); Lillli Dockal,
2024 MWC Player of the Year, 2024 MWC Newcomer of the Year (So)
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Eric Schacht (3rd Season)
2024-25: 6-10 (overall), 2-4 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Clara Hills (So)
Monmouth College Scots
Head Coach: Brian Dahlstrom (4th Season)
2024-25: 1-9 (overall), 1-5 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Ivana Stefanova (Jr)
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Sam Brickley (3rd Season)
2024-25: 4-19 (overall), 0-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None