SMU women’s tennis will face Wichita State in the first round of the NCAA Championships on May 2 in Norman, Oklahoma. The match marks a rematch between the two teams, who last played on Jan. 19 when Wichita State defeated SMU 4-2.
This meeting is significant as it gives SMU another chance to advance past the opening round of the tournament, something they have achieved twice before in their last four appearances. The winner of this match will play either Kansas or Oklahoma, with both matches taking place at Headington Family Tennis Center.
The series between SMU and Wichita State is currently tied at seven matches each. In their most recent contest, SMU was missing its top player and ACC Freshman of the Year. Since then, freshman Van Impe has won her last seven singles matches and looks to continue her streak against No. 97-ranked Theodora Chantava from Wichita State.
Wichita State enters the match with a record of 21-4 but recently lost to Rice in the American Conference Championship final, ending a 19-match winning streak. Meanwhile, several Mustangs have received postseason honors since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024, including Van Impe being named ACC Freshman of the Year and earning All-ACC Singles First Team recognition.
Head Coach Kelcy McKenna begins her tenure at SMU after leading Wisconsin’s program turnaround and achieving three consecutive NCAA Round of 32 appearances there. “McKenna’s tenure at Wisconsin was defined by a dramatic program turnaround,” according to information provided by SMU Mustangs Women’s Tennis.
Looking ahead, both teams aim for a strong showing as they compete for advancement deeper into national competition.
