HC Katharina Winterhalter (left) and AC Lisa Alipaz (right)
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
WTEN | Gaels Picked 6th in 2026 WCC Preseason Poll, Spring Campaign Opens at Cal on January 16th
1/8/2026 11:05:00 AM | Women's Tennis
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - The 2026 WCC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll and Team were announced Thursday morning. Despite a 1-7 conference record a season ago, Saint Mary's returned five members from the 2024-25 squad and was picked to finish 6th in this year's preseason poll. Notable returners for the Gaels include seniors Tiana Fox, Iman Khan, and Madison Weekley who combine for eight seasons with the program dating back to the 2022-23 campaign.
Pepperdine received eight first place votes to take the top spot while San Diego received two votes to sit in second place. The two programs shared the conference title last season with a 5-1 record but Pepperdine won the conference tournament for the eleventh consecutive time to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The full 2026 preseason poll and team can be found below:
2026 Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Pepperdine - 80 points (8)
2. San Diego - 74 (2)
3. Washington State - 65
4. LMU - 54
5. Gonzaga - 44
6. Saint Mary's - 40
7. Portland - 33
8. Santa Clara - 32
9. Pacific - 17
10. Seattle U - 11
2026 Women's Tennis Preseason Team
Anastasia Grechkina, Pepperdine
Alexia Harmon, Pepperdine
Charlotte Keitel, San Diego
Maxine Murphy, Washington State
Hannah Read, San Diego
Eva Alvarez Sande, Washington State
Saint Mary's will kick off their spring campaign on January 16th in the annual Cal Winter Invite. WCC action is then slated to start on Sunday, March 22nd against the Pacific Tigers. The Gaels full 2026 spring schedule can be found HERE or at smcgaels.com.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Pepperdine received eight first place votes to take the top spot while San Diego received two votes to sit in second place. The two programs shared the conference title last season with a 5-1 record but Pepperdine won the conference tournament for the eleventh consecutive time to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The full 2026 preseason poll and team can be found below:
2026 Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Pepperdine - 80 points (8)
2. San Diego - 74 (2)
3. Washington State - 65
4. LMU - 54
5. Gonzaga - 44
6. Saint Mary's - 40
7. Portland - 33
8. Santa Clara - 32
9. Pacific - 17
10. Seattle U - 11
2026 Women's Tennis Preseason Team
Anastasia Grechkina, Pepperdine
Alexia Harmon, Pepperdine
Charlotte Keitel, San Diego
Maxine Murphy, Washington State
Hannah Read, San Diego
Eva Alvarez Sande, Washington State
Saint Mary's will kick off their spring campaign on January 16th in the annual Cal Winter Invite. WCC action is then slated to start on Sunday, March 22nd against the Pacific Tigers. The Gaels full 2026 spring schedule can be found HERE or at smcgaels.com.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
WBB | Saint Mary's at Pacific Highlights, 1-8-26
Thursday, January 08
MBB | Dillan Shaw Highlights vs Seattle U
Monday, January 05
MBB | Paulius Murauskas Highlights vs Seattle U
Monday, January 05
MBB | Randy Bennett Postgame vs. Seattle U, 1-4-26, Presented by University Credit Union
Sunday, January 04
