CHICAGO, Ill. – The North Park University women's tennis team enters the 2026 season with a blend of proven experience and promising young talent as the Vikings look to climb back into contention in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin.
North Park was selected to finish tied for third in the 2026 CCIW Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll, earning 42 points and sharing the position with Carthage. The Vikings trail only defending conference tournament champion Wheaton and Augustana in the preseason rankings.
2026 CCIW Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
- Wheaton (64 points, 8 first-place votes)
- Augustana (55 points, 1 first-place vote)
T-3. North Park (42 points)
T-3. Carthage (42 points)
- North Central (37 points)
- Carroll (30 points)
- Illinois Wesleyan (29 points)
- Millikin (17 points)
- Elmhurst (8 points)
Head coach Alice Copland welcomes back one of the conference's premier players in Alexandra Pugachova. The All-CCIW selection returns after leading the Vikings with a 13-8 singles record and a 5-2 mark in conference play last season. Pugachova amassed 11 victories at No. 1 singles and posted an 11-8 doubles record, establishing herself as one of the top competitors in the league.
The Vikings return several key contributors from last season's squad, including Thea Gifvars, Jessica Dudas, Holly Chleboun, and Nicasia Murphy. Gifvars and Pugachova formed North Park's top doubles partnership a season ago, compiling a 9-7 overall record and a 5-2 mark against conference opponents.
North Park will also rely on an impressive group of newcomers who have already made their presence felt. Freshmen Tyra Olsson and Katharina Schuler were immediately inserted into the top of the singles lineup during the Vikings' season opener against Carthage. With Pugachova occupying the No. 1 position, Olsson opened at No. 2 singles while Schuler debuted at No. 3 singles, a testament to the coaching staff's confidence in the pair's abilities.
That confidence was evident in North Park's opening match, as the Vikings pushed Carthage to the brink before falling by a narrow 4-3 score. Despite the setback, the performance realized depth in the lineup and competitiveness that contributed to the team's top-three preseason ranking.
"Recruiting several new team members this year has really boosted our team, both on the court and with our team culture," said Copland. "The team worked really hard during preseason and they're ready and excited to compete this fall. With Alexandra and Thea leading, we're looking forward to seeing what the team can achieve this year."
After sharing the CCIW regular-season championship in 2024 and reaching the conference tournament final, the Vikings are aiming to return to the top of the conference standings in 2026. With an All-Conference player leading the way, an experienced nucleus returning, and talented newcomers already contributing near the top of the lineup, North Park looks to fight for a spot in the upper portion of the league race.
