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Women's Tennis Preseason Poll 2026

Women's Tennis Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Altmaier Earns Preseason All-Conference Honors as Lander Picked Seventh in PBC Poll

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Lander was picked seventh in the Peach Belt Conference's 2026 women's tennis preseason poll, with senior Evelyn Altmaier earning preseason all-conference honors, the league announced Monday.

Flagler was voted the preseason favorite, collecting five first-place votes and 47 points. North Georgia followed in second with 43 points, while Columbus State placed third with 39 points. Georgia College & State University ranked fourth with 27 points, followed by Middle Georgia (24), Augusta (20), Lander (17), and Georgia Southwestern (7).

Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll 
 
RANK TEAM POINTS
1. Flagler (5) 47
2. North Georgia (2) 43
3. Columbus State (1) 39
4. Georgia College 27
5. Middle Georgia 24
6. Augusta 20
7. Lander 17
8. Georgia Southwestern 7


Altmaier's preseason recognition comes on the heels of a strong 2025 campaign. The senior earned Peach Belt All-Conference Second Team honors and was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. She finished the season with an 11-7 singles record, including a 4-2 mark in conference play, and added a 9-6 doubles record with a 2-1 showing against league opponents.

Lander closed the 2025 season with an 11-10 overall record and a 1-5 mark in Peach Belt play, advancing to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament to conclude the year.

The preseason all-conference team was led by Columbus State's Nikoline Gullacksen, Sofia Lauretti, and Laura Pesickova. Flagler placed Eryka Kruk and Sofia Balsera on the team, while North Georgia's Linn Goerdes also earned preseason honors alongside Altmaier.

The 2026 season ushers in a new era for the Bearcats as Alan Ferguson begins his first year at the helm of the Lander women's tennis program. Ferguson comes to Greenwood after a 12-year tenure as head men's and women's tennis coach at Limestone University, where he led both programs to national rankings, conference championships, and NCAA Tournament appearances.

With a mix of experienced returners, new faces added to the lineup, and a proven head coach on the sideline, the Bearcats enter the 2026 season looking to take a step forward in Peach Belt Conference play.

Lander opens the season at home Thursday, Jan. 22, hosting an exhibition match against Georgia Gwinnett at 1 p.m. at the Joe Cabri Tennis Center.
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Players Mentioned

Evelyn Altmaier

Evelyn Altmaier

Junior

Players Mentioned

Evelyn Altmaier

Evelyn Altmaier

Junior