HADDONFIELD, N.J. — The Pratt Institute women's tennis team was selected as the favorite in the 2026 Atlantic East Women's Tennis Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's coaches. The Cannoneers, the 2025 Atlantic East champions, earned three first-place votes and 15 points after an undefeated fall.
Pratt's junior captain Pallavi Verghese (Fayetteville, Ark.) collected two Atlantic East Player of the Week honors this fall, continuing the form that made her a First Team All-Conference pick in both singles and doubles last spring. Verghese went 4-1 in both singles and doubles during the fall, teaming at the top of the lineup with classmate Beatrice Crespo (Kearny, N.J.), a 2025 Singles Second Team All-Conference selection who finished the fall unbeaten at No. 2 singles.
Marywood placed second in the poll with 14 points and two first-place votes after advancing to last year's championship match. Marymount and Neumann tied for third with eight points apiece, and Immaculata was fifth with five.
Conference play begins this Saturday, March 21, when the Cannoneers visit Neumann. The Atlantic East Championship will be hosted by Neumann, with semifinals on April 24 and the final on April 25.
Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Pratt - 15 (3)
2. Marywood - 14 (2)
3. Marymount - 8
3. Neumann - 8
5. Immaculata - 5
