INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Milwaukee women's tennis team was selected third in the 2026 Horizon League preseason poll, revealed Friday morning.
 
Oakland was selected as the Horizon League favorite on the women's side, voted on by the league's six coaches. It was a very tight battle at the top, with the Golden Grizzlies receiving 34 points. Runner-up Youngstown State had 28 and the Panthers came in third with 27, also receiving one first-place vote.

Third-year head coach Mark Goldin and his team had to battle through and overcome numerous injuries a year ago, finishing with an 8-17 overall mark that yielded a strong finish - knocking off third-seeded Oakland in the Horizon League Championships before falling in the semifinals to eventual league champion YSU. The Panthers also added a historic result, posting MKE's first-ever win over Marquette with a 4-3 decision in February.
 
The team is coming off a very successful fall 2025 campaign, competing at the Gopher Invitational, the Warhawk Fall Invite, and the Horizon League Individual Championships. Newcomer Nel Van Hout led the way, combining for 18 victories – going 8-1 in singles and 10-2 in doubles action. Emilia Durska was second with 12 total wins (4 singles/8 doubles). Nadiaa Konieva and Nikola Nikolajeva were each 5-2 in singles, while Sara Simonova was 7-2 in doubles.
 
The Panthers went 24-15 as a team in singles action for the fall; 18-9 in doubles play.

Following right behind Milwaukee is Cleveland State, who picked up 18 points. Northern Kentucky (10 points) was fifth and IU Indy (9) sixth in the poll.
 
2026 Under Armour Horizon League Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
Pl.       Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1.         Oakland (4) – 34
2.         Youngstown State (1) – 28
3.         Milwaukee (1) – 27
4.         Cleveland State – 18
5.         Northern Kentucky – 10
6.         IU Indianapolis – 9
 
The 2026 Horizon League men's and women's tennis championships will take place April 24-26 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.