Fordham Women’s Tennis Earns Top Honors in Atlantic 10 Preseason Outlook
The Fordham University Rams are positioning themselves as major contenders in the Atlantic 10 conference for the 2026 season. In the preseason announcements released by the league, Fordham secured a high ranking and saw three of its standout athletes recognized on the Preseason All-Conference Team.
While the Rams enter the season with high expectations, they have a proven track record of exceeding preseason projections. The program’s current trajectory suggests a blend of veteran leadership and promising latest talent capable of challenging for the conference title.
Preseason All-Conference Selections
Three Fordham players were named to the 2026 Women’s Tennis Preseason All-Conference Team, highlighting the depth of the Rams’ roster:
- Nevena Kolarevic: A senior and the reigning 2025 Atlantic 10 Women’s Tennis Most Outstanding Performer.
- Julianne Nguyen: A junior contributing to the team’s core strength.
- Valerija Kargina: A freshman from Latvia who has immediately made an impact on the program.
Conference Rankings and Competition
In the preseason poll released on February 12, the Fordham Rams ranked second out of 12 teams in the league. Fordham earned 126 total points and five first-place votes, narrowly trailing the reigning champions, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), who took the top spot with 132 points and six first-place votes. Richmond followed in third place with 122 points.
Fordham is no stranger to defying these polls. In 2025, the Rams were picked fourth but finished first with a perfect 8-0 regular season record. Similarly, when the team won the conference title in 2023, they had been picked fifth entering the season.
Early Season Performance and Analysis
As the team moved into March, the Rams carried a 3-7 record. However, this record is deceptive regarding the team’s actual strength; six of those losses occurred against teams ranked in the top 75 nationally by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Notably, no other Atlantic 10 team currently holds a top-75 ranking.
The team showed their potential during a trip to the Windy City on February 14, where they secured a 4-0 sweep against the University of Illinois Chicago. A key highlight of that victory was a 6-1 win at #2 doubles, powered by the pairing of freshman Valerija Kargina and junior Lily Chitambar.
Key Takeaways: Fordham Women’s Tennis 2026
- Elite Individual Talent: Senior Nevena Kolarevic enters the season as the reigning A-10 Performer of the Year.
- Strong Preseason Standing: Ranked 2nd in the A-10, trailing only VCU.
- Strength of Schedule: Early season losses are primarily attributed to competing against top-75 national programs.
- Freshman Impact: Latvian freshman Valerija Kargina has already earned All-Conference preseason honors and key doubles victories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Fordham players on the Preseason All-Conference team?
The players honored are senior Nevena Kolarevic, junior Julianne Nguyen, and freshman Valerija Kargina.
Where does Fordham rank in the A-10 preseason poll?
Fordham is ranked second in the Atlantic 10, with 126 points and five first-place votes.
What is Fordham’s history with preseason polls?
Fordham frequently outperforms its preseason ranking, including finishing first in 2025 after being picked fourth and winning the title in 2023 after being picked fifth.
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