BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The University of Charleston was selected the favorite in the 2026 Mountain East Conference Women’s Tennis Preseason Poll, the league announced on Friday afternoon. 

The Golden Eagles collected six of the seven first place votes, tallying 36 total points. Charleston finished the 2024-25 campaign 21-5 overall, with an undefeated 6-0 mark in conference play. Additionally, UC won both the Mountain East Conference and NCAA Atlantic Regional titles, concluding their remarkable season at the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. 

Fairmont State earned the other first place vote, followed by West Virginia Wesleyan, West Virginia State, Davis & Elkins, Frostburg State and West Liberty in the poll. 

The preseason poll was voted on by the league's seven head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team. 

2026 MEC Women’s Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Charleston - 36 (6)
2. Fairmont State - 31 (1)
3. West Virginia Wesleyan - 25
4. West Virginia State - 17
5. Davis & Elkins - 16
6. Frostburg State - 13
7. West Liberty - 9 

( ) – First-place votes
* Coaches unable to vote for own team