Wichita State Women's Tennis Eyes Historic American Title

The Shockers aim to capture their first conference championship and NCAA tournament berth.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:29am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a women's tennis match, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange conveying the intensity and energy of the competition.Wichita State's women's tennis team aims to shatter the competition and make history at the American Athletic Conference tournament.Houston Today

The Wichita State women's tennis team has an opportunity to make history this weekend at the American Athletic Conference tournament in Houston, Texas. The Shockers have never won the American title before, and a victory would secure their first-ever NCAA tournament berth.

Why it matters

Wichita State's women's tennis program has been on the rise in recent years, and a conference championship would mark a significant milestone for the team and the university's athletic department. Earning an NCAA tournament spot would also provide valuable national exposure and recruiting opportunities for the Shockers.

The details

The Wichita State women's tennis team enters the American Athletic Conference tournament as the No. 2 seed, having compiled a 19-5 overall record and 8-2 conference mark during the regular season. The Shockers are led by senior Alina Novak, who was named the American's Player of the Year after posting a 16-8 singles record and 15-9 doubles mark. Wichita State will face a tough challenge from top-seeded SMU, the defending conference champion, in the tournament final.

  • The American Athletic Conference women's tennis tournament takes place April 18-21, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
  • Wichita State has never won the American title since joining the conference in 2017.

The players

Wichita State Women's Tennis Team

The Wichita State women's tennis team is the No. 2 seed in the 2026 American Athletic Conference tournament, having compiled a 19-5 overall record and 8-2 conference mark during the regular season.

Alina Novak

Wichita State senior Alina Novak was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year after posting a 16-8 singles record and 15-9 doubles mark during the regular season.

SMU Women's Tennis Team

The SMU women's tennis team is the defending American Athletic Conference champion and the No. 1 seed in the 2026 tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We've been working hard all season for this opportunity, and the team is really excited to compete for the conference title in Houston.”

— Alina Novak, Wichita State Senior

“Winning the American title would be a huge accomplishment for our program, and we're ready to give it our best shot this weekend.”

— Chris Young, Wichita State Head Coach

What’s next

If Wichita State wins the American Athletic Conference tournament, they will receive an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championship.

The takeaway

Wichita State's women's tennis team has a chance to make history this weekend by capturing their first-ever American Athletic Conference title and earning a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first time. The Shockers' success this season has been a testament to their hard work and dedication, and a conference championship would be a significant milestone for the program.