MONMOUTH, Ill. – The Cornell College women's tennis team rounded out the fall 2026 season splitting a pair of Midwest Conference matches Saturday, falling 4-3 to Illinois College before bouncing back with a 5-2 victory over Monmouth.
Cornell finished its fall season with a 9-5 overall record and a 4-3 mark in MWC play.
Following Lake Forest's win over Luther, the Rams officially clinched a spot in the MWC Team Tournament, qualifying for the event for the ninth time in the last 11 years. Grinnell College finished as the MWC Champion and will host the MWC Team Tournament as the No. 1 seed May 1-2, 2027.
The Rams opened the day against Illinois College, sweeping all three doubles matches to earn the doubles point. Michaela Clark and Mac Graves won 6-3 at No. 1 doubles, Annika Dox and Emmie Kinder prevailed 7-5 at No. 2, and Jenna Benkufsky and Isabella Wallin completed the sweep with a 6-4 victory at No. 3.
Cornell added two singles victories. Clark earned a 6-0, 6-3 win at No. 1 singles, while Kinder posted a 6-1, 6-3 victory at No. 3. Illinois College rallied in singles play winning the other four singles matches in straight sets to claim the narrow 4-3 team decision.
The Rams responded in the afternoon against Monmouth, again sweeping doubles to take an early advantage. Clark and Graves won 6-1 at No. 1 doubles, Dox and Kinder posted a 6-1 victory at No. 2, and Meredith Maxwell and Wallin completed the sweep with a 6-0 win at No. 3.
Cornell carried its momentum into singles play, earning four victories to secure the 5-2 team win. Graves led the way at No. 2 singles with a 6-0, 6-1 victory, while Dox claimed a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 3. Wallin added a 6-3, 6-0 victory at No. 5, and Maxwell closed out the lineup with a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 6.
The Rams will return to action in the spring, looking to build on their fall season as they prepare for the MWC Team Tournament, hosted by Grinnell College in May.
