PURCHASE, N.Y. – The reigning conference champs have been voted the favorites in the Skyline Conference as the Manhattanville University women's tennis team will carry the No. 1 ranking in the 2026 Skyline Preseason Coaches Poll as revealed on Friday.

The Valiants received 47 total points in the preseason poll rankings and nabbed five of the eight first-place votes shared by the conference's team coaches. Manhattanville just edged out 2025 runners-up Farmingdale, with the Rams taking the three remaining first-place votes and earning 45 total points.

Manhattanville captured its second women's tennis championship in the last three seasons last fall, defeating Farmingdale on the road 4-2 in the finals. The Valiants went 10-2 en route to their championship win and made their second-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament, falling to No. 16 Amherst in the first round.

The defending champions bring back the full squad that competed in the Skyline Championship last year, fronted by its four All-Conference selections from 2025. Adrianna Filippelli (Mastic, N.Y./William Floyd), Addison Ortiz (Bronx, N.Y./High School for Health Professions and Human Services) and Amaya Ortiz (Bronx, N.Y./High School for Health Professions and Human Services) each made the First Team last season, with Filippelli further being recognized as the Skyline Player of the Year. They were joined by freshman standout Jenifer Lalman (Schenectady, N.Y./Schenectady) who made the Second Team and took home the Skyline Tournament's Most Outstanding Player award after her postseason performance.

Maria Gutierrez (Norwalk, Conn./Brien McMahon), Bianca Reyna (Yonkers, N.Y./Roosevelt) and Mikhalia Grant (Montego Bay, Jamaica/New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science II) also return from last year's team as the Valiants are poised to make another deep run.

The tennis season is scheduled to open on Wednesday, Sept. 16 on the road against Hunter. The Valiants will take to their home courts for the first time on Sept. 19, hosting Baruch at noon.

The full results of the Skyline Preseason Poll are below:
 
Women's Tennis Rank, School, Points (First-place votes)
1. Manhattanville 47 (5)
2. Farmingdale State 45 (3)
3. St. Joseph's-LI 35
4. Purchase 27
5. Yeshiva 26
6. Sarah Lawrence 21
7. Mount Saint Mary 12
8. Mount St. Vincent 11

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