CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) released the women's tennis preseason coaches' poll for the 2025 fall season on Wednesday afternoon. After a strong season where the Spartans posted their best A-R-C finish since 2017, the Spartans were picked to finish fifth in 2025 by the leagues' head coaches.
Chad Fenwick enters his third season, looking to continue increasing the Spartans' success. The Spartans return a strong core from last season, including all-conference singles players junior Adriana Benavente and sophomore Molly Jex. Benavente is coming off two consecutive all-conference nominations and posted a 13-5 (5-3 A-R-C) record last season. Jex quickly became a factor during her freshman season, after posting a 14-4 (6-2 A-R-C) in 2024. Also returning for the Spartans are sophomores Kadia Cole and Jayda Floyd, as well as A-R-C honorable mention sophomore Sarah Wilde.
"We are excited about the potential of our young team," added Fenwick. "I feel like we are capable of being more competitive in the conference this year."
The Spartans will begin their season at home with a split doubleheader against Greenville University and Grand View University on August 30th. Three days later, the Spartans will begin A-R-C play against Loras College on September 2 at 4:00 p.m. before returning home for another split doubleheader on September 6 against Ripon College and Monmouth College. The Spartans will host both Wartburg College and Coe College at home on September 13 before returning to A-R-C action against Buena Vista University on September 26 and Nebraska Wesleyan University the following day on September 27. The Spartans will closeout the fall season with three road matches against Luther College (Oct. 1), Simpson College (Oct. 3), and Central College (Oct 4).
The A-R-C Women's Tennis Individual Tournament will be played October 10-11 at Clark Racquet Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Coe College will host the tournament.
Check out all the latest news, information, and updates from women's tennis via the University of Dubuque Athletics website at https://udspartans.com/sports/womens-tennis.
