The SMU women’s tennis team will compete in the NCAA Tournament this weekend with a largely new lineup, according to a May 1 announcement. Only two players from last year’s roster remain, and first-year head coach Kelcy McKenna joined the Mustangs just before the fall semester began.
The team faced early uncertainty due to its new composition but has since turned that challenge into an opportunity for postseason play. “They’ve really done a great job working and they’ve been open-minded about the style of tennis,” McKenna said. “We really believe in aggressive tennis and being able to prepare day in and day out and to be uncomfortable. They’ve done a really good job of facing that.”
On Monday, SMU was selected for the NCAA Tournament field and will travel to Norman to face Wichita State in the opening round on Saturday morning. Caroline McGinley is the only player on this year’s roster who has previously played in the NCAA Tournament. “For everyone except Caroline, it’s their first time ever seeing their name called,” McKenna said. “What a special experience for this group, a group that’s worked really hard from the fall until now to earn this. I’m really happy for them.” Two years ago, McGinley was part of an SMU squad that won its conference championship and advanced past the first round.
McGinley is joined by one other returning player, two transfers, and five freshmen—including ACC Freshman of the Year Hanne Vandewinkel Van Impe—who moved into SMU’s No. 1 singles spot after joining midseason and finished with a strong record. Van Impe credited her teammates’ support: “I just came here without expectations and to just go with the flow,” she said.
Van Impe also partnered with McGinley at No. 1 doubles; together they went 15-2 as All-ACC Second Team Doubles honorees. Reflecting on their partnership, McGinley said: “I love our doubles… We work really well together on the court… we’ve only grown.” Meanwhile, she held down No. 3 singles herself: “It’s been really cool for her hard work to translate into success,” McKenna said of McGinley.
This season saw improvement over last year’s results as SMU went 7-5 in ACC play compared to last year’s 4-8 finish while navigating difficult schedules including multiple road trips each weekend.
Looking ahead at Saturday’s match against Wichita State—a rematch from January—McGinley remarked: “It also was really early on in the season, and I think our growth from January to May has been tremendous… Being able to play them again will show that growth.” After concluding conference championships earlier than hoped, Coach McKenna concluded: “We ended our ACC Championship a little prematurely… For us, it’s about taking that next step.”
