MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's tennis team is projected to finish among the top three in the Midwest Conference once again, according to a vote by MWC coaches.
The league's coaches voted Cornell third in the 2025 MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Rams received 24 points, trailing only Lake Forest (31) and defending champion Grinnell (36).
The Rams bring back all but one player from last year's 18-9 squad that went 4-2 in the MWC. They will also be bolstered by a promising incoming class in coach Trent Schneider's fifth year at the Hilltop.
"This is our largest team in my tenure so far; these last few years we've had anywhere from six to eight on average. Getting up past 10 is great, not only for depth of the team, but it also provides healthy competition within, pushing the team to get better each and every day," said Schneider. "We've established expectations, those have now become second nature in our program."
The Rams return three all-conference returnees in juniors Tansy Graves (singles & doubles), Mac Graves (singles & doubles), and sophomore Jenna Benkufsky (doubles). Senior Audrey Small and junior Isaballa Wallin were the MWC No. 3 doubles runners-up a season ago. Senior Ashley Drake has also been a key contributor during her career.
Small currently holds 91 career wins, and will look to surpass the 100-victory milestone this fall. Mac Graves is coming off a record-breaking year where she set the program record for single-season singles wins (30), and single-season total wins (54), as well as tying the single-season doubles wins record (24).
"A larger team allows us to put together a robust competition schedule to get many match opportunities for our players, as I am a big believer in you have to play matches to improve at playing matches. Our internal competition paired with our competition schedule is great for our team, and in continuing our quest to rise in the ranks of the conference."
Schneider will count on several newcomers to contribute, led by transfer Michaela Clark from California, and Annika Dox from Minnesota. Meredith Maxwell, Mirabel Pinkerton and Kortney Travis also enter their first collegiate seasons.
"I think this is the most exciting year yet. We really have a great chance to make some noise and move up in the conference standings, and improve our status in the region.
The Rams will open their season on August 30, hosting the Rams Invitational. Cornell will begin conference play on Sept. 13 at home against Ripon and Lawrence. ITA Regionals are Sept. 19-21 in Saint Peter, Minn., and the MWC Individual Championships are Oct. 18-19 in Madison, Wis.
"We're looking forward to a great fall season and building upon the success we have experienced the last number of years. This is the most buzz Cornell tennis has had in the last 10-15 years, and I am beyond excited to kick things off next week."
