The University of Denver women’s tennis team has been selected as the top choice in the 2026 Summit League Women’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll, according to an announcement from the league. The poll, determined by votes from head coaches, places Denver as the favorite to win this season’s Summit League title. If successful, it would mark the program’s 12th consecutive championship.
The preseason poll results are as follows: Denver received 25 points and five first-place votes; Omaha and North Dakota each earned 26 points, with North Dakota also receiving one first-place vote. Kansas City, St. Thomas, Oral Roberts, and South Dakota round out the rest of the rankings.
Denver brings back five athletes who were named to last year’s All-Summit League Team: seniors Hana Bečirovič Novak, Marley Lambert, Claudia Martinez de Velasco, Louise Wikander, and junior Natálie Cinková. The team also adds senior Zoe Adkins, a two-time All-Summit League honoree transferring within the conference.
Last season, Denver maintained its unbeaten record in Summit League play since joining in 2013-14 and captured its 11th league title. The Pioneers also made their 14th appearance at the NCAA National Championships.
Senior Louise Wikander was listed among the Summit League Women’s Tennis Players to Watch after a strong previous season that included an 18-13 singles record (6-0 in league matches) and a 25-6 doubles mark (5-0 in league). She started the current season with a 9-4 singles record and won the ITA Mountain Regional singles title before competing at the NCAA Division I Tennis Singles & Doubles Championships. Wikander enters dual match play ranked No. 79 nationally in singles.
The Summit League Tennis Championships will take place at a neutral site this year—Tulsa, Oklahoma—on April 24-25.
This marks Denver’s final season in the Summit League; starting July 1, 2026, they will join the West Coast Conference for athletics competition.
Denver begins its spring schedule at the Long Beach State Winter Invite from January 16-18 and opens dual match play against Seattle on January 23 at home. Their first Summit League match is scheduled for February 28 at St. Thomas.
For more information about Denver’s teams and schedules, fans can visit DenverPioneers.com for updates across all sports programs.
