NEW YORK – Conference newcomer Pratt was voted first in the 2026 CUNY Athletic Conference women's tennis preseason coaches' poll announced Friday morning. The Cannoneers, who are competing as an affiliate member in women's tennis in 2026-27, earned five of eight first place votes and 47 total points.
Pratt, which along with Saint Elizabeth will compete in a new NCAA Division III conference with the eight current full CUNYAC members in 2027-28, has captured the Atlantic East women's tennis title in each of the past two seasons.
Defending CUNYAC champion Hunter collected a pair of first place votes and finished with 43 points, followed by 2025 finalist Baruch, which grabbed the other first place vote and tallied 39 points. Brooklyn (31) and Lehman (24) completed the top five.
John Jay (19), Albertus Magnus (13) and York (8) rounded out the poll.
The 2026 CUNYAC women's tennis Players to Watch were also announced Friday morning.
The 2026 CUNYAC Women's Tennis Championship begins with the semifinals on Tuesday, October 27, followed by the championship match on Thursday, October 29 at 3 pm. The semifinals and finals will take place at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center.
2026 CUNYAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. Pratt (5) - 47
2. Hunter (2) - 43
3. Baruch (1) - 39
4. Brooklyn - 31
5. Lehman - 24
6. John Jay - 19
7. Albertus Magnus - 13
8. York - 8
CUNYAC Women's Tennis
Players to Watch
Madison Rossetti, Albertus Magnus - Rossetti joins the Falcons for the fall after previously competing at the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.).
Aishika Yadav, Baruch - Yadav, the CUNYAC Player of the Year in 2025, finished last season 17-0 in dual match singles play at No. 1, including a 7-0 conference mark. She is a three-time First Team All-Conference selection.
Alexis Goodman, Brooklyn - Goodman was a Second Team All-Conference selection as a freshman for the Bulldogs last fall. She finished 6-5 overall in singles play, including a 4-1 mark at second singles.
Isabella Tchij, Hunter - Tchij was the CUNYAC Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-Conference selection a season ago. A two-time Rookie of the Week, she finished 8-3 overall at No. 1 singles for the Hawks.
Manuela Orrego, John Jay - Orrego finished with a pair of singles wins and a pair of doubles victories for the Bloodhounds in 2025.
Gabby Vargas, Lehman - Vargas was voted Second Team All-Conference for the Lightning a season ago. She recorded eight singles and four doubles victories for Lehman as the Lightning reached the conference semifinals.
Pallavi Verghese, Pratt - Verghese finished 10-2 overall at No. 1 singles for the Cannoneers last season. She was voted the Atlantic East Player of the Year as she led Pratt to the conference crown.
Franeidy Mauricio, York - Mauricio was voted to the conference's Sportsmanship Team last season. She finished 1-1 at No. 2 singles and was the Cardinals' primary No. 1 player.
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