Tarleton State Tennis is set to compete against the No. 9 seed Texas in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, marking the Texans' first NCAA appearance as a Division I program. The team, which claimed the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship, enters the tournament with a strong record of 17-7, having dominated the WAC Tournament with a perfect performance. Tarleton's last NCAA appearance was in 2017 as a Division II program. Senior Ximena Morales, with a stellar record, and impactful newcomers like Aya Ishii, are crucial to the Texans' success as they look to make an impression against the formidable Longhorns.

By the Numbers
  • Tarleton State has a 17-7 overall record, including an 8-1 home record.
  • The Texans achieved over 75% wins in both singles (88) and doubles (46) this season, the most since transitioning to Division I.
State of Play
  • This match will be the first encounter between Tarleton State and Texas in women鈥檚 tennis.
  • Texas is ranked No. 8 nationally and has faced 13 nationally-ranked opponents this season, winning 13 of their 17 matches.
What's Next

The winner of the match between Tarleton State and Texas will advance to play against Yale or Texas Tech in the second round. The outcome could significantly influence Tarleton's trajectory as a competitive Division I team.

Bottom Line

Tarleton State Tennis aims to capitalize on its historic season and solid performance in the WAC as they face a tough challenge against Texas. This matchup serves as a pivotal moment for the program, with potential implications for future visibility and recruitment in collegiate tennis.