MOUNT VERNON – In a new era of the Midwest Conference, the Cornell women's tennis team is projected to finish among the top four in the MWC, according to a vote by MWC coaches in the 2026 Preseason Poll.
Following defending champion Grinnell (49) and Lake Forest (41), the Rams trail behind new conference addition Luther (35) by one point with 34 votes, highlighting the tight competition among a very competitive league. All of the top four teams in the preseason poll finished inside the top 62 in the national standings to end this past spring.
Two-time MWC Coach of the Year, Trent Schneider enters his sixth season at the Hilltop, and the Rams look to maintain their form, building upon a record setting 24-4 season last year. With nine returning players in the program, along with two newcomers, the Rams have a lot of experience to lean on as the fall slate kicks off.
"We have an identity now. We know what we're doing, and it helps to have a veteran group back. We have five seniors on this team of eleven, with a number of people being multi-year starters who have played a lot of matches for us," Schneider said. "I think if anything, last year showed us that if we continue our development plan and believe in ourselves, taking care of the details each day, that we will be right there at our goals of moving up in the conference, moving up in the region, and national standings."
The Rams return reigning MWC Player and Newcomer of the Year Michaela Clark. Clark who finished as the #5 singles player in the NCAA Region VII rankings, is joined by All-MWC singles and doubles selections in seniors Tansy Graves and Mac Graves, as well as 2025 #3 Doubles Champion junior Jenna Benkufsky.
"Ultimately we are working towards a conference championship, right? We're just going to keep chipping away as well as continue to evolve. Everybody understands who we are and what we are doing as a program, and as long as we work hard, build our relationships each day, and come together, we are going to continue to be successful. No matter what happens, we know we're in the conversation and we know we have a chance."
The Rams welcome two incoming freshmen to the senior-laden team, in Megan Bruns, and Emmie Kinder.
"I am really excited for Megan and Emmie to get to jump in head first into the fall season with us. They get train and learn from a very experienced group. I am very excited to see their growth this year and especially over this first month."
Mac Graves (133) and Tansy Graves (110) both have eclipsed the 100 career win milestone. Benkufsky is closing in on the feat currently sitting at 81 career wins.
Mac Graves is 19 wins shy of the all time program record of 152 set by Julia Thome.
"It's a player's program, especially now. There doesn't need to be a ton of direction and guidance, even though there are things we do that make us the program we are, because of all the work we've done over the past five years. We can always strive for something a little bit stronger, and that's what we're going to keep doing. We pushed a lot of boundaries last year and we're going to see how many more we can push this year."
The Rams will open the season on Aug. 22, in Waverly, IA, for a doubles scrimmage against a multitude of teams such as Coe, Luther, Wartburg, and Grinnell. Cornell will begin conference play on September 12th against Lake Forest and Lawrence, at Lake Forest, IL, and Appleton, WI, respectively. The ITA Midwest Regional takes place September 25-27 in St. Peter, Minnesota.
"It's not about having a very specific record or winning this match or that match, we've done the work, we've put the foundation in place, and now those details day in and day out are going to take us to that next level," Schneider said.
