Contact: Greta Norville, Assistant Director of Sports Communications and Marketing, norvilleg@midwestconference.org
 
NEENAH, Wisconsin – Hoping to continue their long-standing dominance over the league, Grinnell College was selected as the unanimous favorite in Thursday’s Midwest Conference women’s tennis preseason poll as it looks to win their seventh straight title in 2026.
 
The Pioneers secured 49 out of 49 possible points (coaches can not vote for their own program) earning seven first-place votes. Grinnell enters the season following a 17-7 record in the 2025-26 campaign (6-0 MWC) in which they captured the program’s 20th conference title, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished ranked 30th nationally.
 
Lake Forest College was selected to finish second in the poll with 41 points and received the remaining first-place vote. The Foresters finished second in the MWC last season.
 
Luther College earned 35 points to finish third in the poll. The Norse were followed by Cornell College (34 points), Illinois College (26 points), Lawrence University (18 points), Monmouth College (13 points) and Ripon College (8 points).
 
The 2026-27 season begins Saturday, August 29, with six teams in non-conference action. MWC competition is scheduled to begin on Saturday, September 12.
 
In the spring, the league’s top four teams will headline the 2027 MWC Women’s Tennis Team Tournament on Saturday, May 1. The winner of the single elimination event will receive the MWC Tournament title and the automatic bid to the 2027 NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Tournament.
 
Full results and quick facts for all eight teams can be found below:
 
2026-27 MWC Women’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (7) – 49 points
2. Lake Forest College (1) – 41 points
3. Luther College- 35 points
4. Cornell College – 34 points
5. Illinois College – 26 points
6. Lawrence University – 18 points
7. Monmouth College – 13 points
8. Ripon College – 8 points
 
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
 
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Trent Schneider (6th Season)
2025-26: 24-4 (overall), 4-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees:
Michaela Clark (Jr) - 2025 MWC Player of the Year, 2025 MWC Newcomer of the Year; Mac Graves (Sr), Tansy Graves (Sr)
 
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Zack Hasenyager (6th Season)
2025-26: 17-7 (overall), 6-0 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Marta Gonzalez (So)
 
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Patrick Embley (1st Season)
2025-26: 16-9 (overall), 3-3 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
 
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Scot Reinhart (6th Season)
2025-26: 16-5 (overall), 5-1 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees:  Sofia Strupovets (Jr) - 2023 MWC Player of the Year, 2023 MWC Newcomer of the Year; Lillli Dockal (So) - 2024 MWC Player of the Year, 2024 MWC Newcomer of the Year; Anya Mookencherry (So)
 
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Tate Whitlinger (1st Season)
2025-26: 6-11 (overall), 2-4 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Clara Hills (Jr)
 
Luther University Norse
Head Coach: Adam Strand (16th Season)
2025-26: 16-9 (overall), 8-0 (A-R-C)
All-Conference Returnees:  Lena Lichau (Sr), Julianna Mascardo (Sr),  Allie Christensen (Jr)

Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Brian Dahlstrom (5th Season)
2025-26: 2-12 (overall), 0-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Ivana Stefanova (Sr)
 
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Sam Brickley (4th Season)
2025-26: 10-15 (overall), 1-5 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None