Women's Tennis | 1/16/2026 8:00:00 AM
Saturday, Jan. 17 | Navy | Annapolis, Md. | Tose Family Tennis Center | 2 p.m.
Sunday, Jan.18 | Penn State | University Park, Pa. | Sarni Tennis Center | 5 p.m.
OPENING SERVE VS NAVY
Saint Francis University's women's tennis team begins its 2026 season with matches against Navy in Annapolis, Maryland, marking the 16th encounter since 2011. In their last meeting, the Red Flash lost to the Mids 7-0. Head coach Eric Hovan and assistant coach Philip Palko aim to secure their first victory against Navy since the 2010 season.
SCOUTING NAVY
The Mids return a talented lineup featuring 10 returners, including team leaders in wins from the past fall slate: junior Olivia Fermo and freshman Nicole Fu, who each recorded 13 victories. The duo formed a powerful partnership, posting a 10-4 record and advancing to the Patriot League doubles semifinals. The team's captain is junior Manci Pal, who helped the 2024-25 squad achieve a 17-12 overall record and a 4-2 league mark, finishing the season in the Patriot League semifinals.
OPENING SERVE VS PENN STATE
The following day, before returning to Loretto, the women's tennis team faces Penn State, marking only the fourth meeting between the two teams since the start of the 2023 season. In their last encounter, the Red Flash lost to the Nittany Lions, 7-0.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
The Nittany Lions have a roster that includes seven returners, led by seniors Olivia Dorner and Maiko Uchijima, who advanced to the NCAA Doubles Championship qualifiers in the fall of 2024. In the recent fall season, Maria Ciubotaru topped the team with a 4-2 record, earning recognition from the Big Ten Conference as the Player to Watch this season.
NEXT TIME OUT
The women's tennis team is back in action Sunday, Jan. 25, as they return home to the Ebensburg Tennis Center for the first time in 2026 to take on Eastern Michigan at 10 a.m.
ABOUT THE COACH
Head coach Hovan begins his fifth season in Loretto and has helped both the men's and women's teams to new heights. In 2023-24, he was named NEC Coach of the Year after helping the men reach their second NEC Championship Game. Last season, the women's tennis team made the NEC Championship Game for the first time in program history.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION IN THE LO'
The Saint Francis University women's tennis doubles team of Sophia Cunningham and Emma Marais has earned a national ranking from the International Tennis Association, marking the first national ranking in program history. The tandem sits 81st in the country and is the only NEC duo in the rankings. The duo has been a dominant presence on the court, posting a 6-1 record and ending the fall season on a high note with four straight wins. Cunningham and Marais went 4-1 in tournament play and 2-0 in dual matches together.
ALL-TIME LEADER
Senior Kelly Dowuona is the program's all-time leader in combined wins and, as of Friday, Sept. 6, the all-time leader in singles matches with 59 victories. Last season, she posted a 24-12 singles record and a 21-14 doubles record. Her 24 singles wins are tied for the second-most in a single season in program history, a record also achieved by Dasha Chichkina in 2024-25.
