DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College women's tennis team opens its 2026 season on Saturday, Aug. 29, welcoming Lawrence University and Edgewood College to Tucker Tennis Courts.

The Duhawks were picked fifth in the American Rivers Conference coaches' preseason poll after a sixth place finish last season.

Entering his fourth season at the helm, head coach Cam Long brings a young Duhawk squad into the fall looking to remain competitive in the A-R-C.

"I look forward to once again being competitive within the A-R-C," Long said. "We have a team that can challenge anybody and is really young, so I am excited to see each athlete's individual growth as the season progresses."

Leading the group of returners is three-time All-Conference performer Mary Breitbach, who will once again provide experience at the top of the Duhawk lineup. The Peoria, Ill. native led Loras with 13 singles victories last season and returns to the No. 1 singles and doubles positions.

Megan Covelli also returns to the starting lineup after earning A-R-C Honorable Mention honors during her freshman campaign. Covelli teamed up with Breitbach at No. 1 doubles last season, with the duo collecting eight victories.

Junior Saydie Roling and sophomore Brooke Burger add additional experience to the lineup after starting every match for the Duhawks last season.

While Loras brings back several key pieces, this year's roster will also feature plenty of new faces, highlighted by a nine-player freshman class that includes multiple individual and team state qualifiers.

"Each of them has been extremely competitive in practice, so it will be fun to see how each of them contributes," Long said.

After the matchup with Lawrence and Edgewood, the Purple and Gold return to Tucker Tennis Courts to host UW-River Falls at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1. before they hit the road for the first time when they travel to Monmouth College on Saturday, Sept. 5.