HADDONFIELD, N.J. – Following an undefeated fall season, Pratt was selected as the favorite in the 2026 Atlantic East Women’s Tennis Preseason Poll, as voted on by the coaches. The Cannoneers, who won the 2025 Atlantic East Championship, received three first place votes, with a total of 15 points.

Pratt’s Pallavi Verghese took home two Player of the Week awards this fall, continuing her strong run of form that saw her place on both Singles and Doubles First Team All-Conference selections last season. The junior went four-for-five in both singles and doubles this fall, teaming up with 2025 Singles Second Team All-Conference selection Beatrice Crespo. Crespo, now in her junior year, went undefeated in the No. 2 singles this fall, creating a name for herself on the Cannoneers roster. Entering his fifth season at the helm is Iñigo Torre Martin, who has led the women to a 20-4 overall record across the previous two seasons.

The Pacers of Marywood landed second in the poll, receiving 14 overall points, with two first place votes, after making a run to the Championship match last year. This fall, the Pacers have posted a 5-2 record under the leadership of Dana Ciccotti, the 2025 Coaching Staff of the Year recipient.  Alex Vitale, a First Team All-Conference selection in both Singles and Doubles, and Kylie Kilgore, First Team All-Conference Doubles selection, return for their sophomore and junior seasons, respectively. The duo went four-of-six this fall in No.1 doubles, with Kilgore posting that same record in No.1 singles.

Sharing the third place spot was Marymount and Neumann, both of whom received eight votes. For the Saints, Avery DeFazio enters her senior campaign after a 2025 year that saw her garner Second Team All-Conference Singles recognition. As a whole, Marymount posted a 2-1 record this fall. Freshman Olivia Clontz took home one win in two matches this fall at the No.3 singles spot, adding on a win in the No.2 doubles against Stevenson.

The Knights of Neumann posted a 1-1 record in the fall, with last year’s Singles Second Team All-Conference selections Casey and Molly McGee now in their sophomore and senior campaigns, respectively. Molly won eight-of-ten singles matches last season, with Casey winning four-of-five. Alura Troilo, a two-time Second Team All-Conference selection, posted an undefeated fall at the No.1 singles spot and went 1-1 in the No.1 doubles.

Immaculata closed out the poll, receiving five points. The Mighty Mac’s lone all conference selection, Delany Brown (Second Team All-Conference Doubles) returns for her senior season. She took home one win this fall at the No.1 singles, with two wins at the No. 1 doubles. Across the fall, Immaculata went 4-1 against Cairn, Kean, Lancaster Bible, Penn State Abington, and Ursinus.

Conference play begins on Saturday, March 21, with Neumann hosting Pratt and Marymount hosting Immaculata.  Marywood starts conference play on Saturday, March 28, with Neumann heading to Scranton, Pa., to face the Pacers. The AEC Championship will be hosted by Neumann, with semifinals taking place on April 24 and the championship being played on April 25.

Women’s Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Pratt - 15 (3) 
2. Marywood -  14 (2)
3. Marymount -  8
3. Neumann - 8
5. Immaculata -  5

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