2026 Women’s Tennis Season Preview

CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina women's tennis team opens its 37th spring season on January 18, taking on instate foe South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. on Jan. 17 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Coastal will look to improve on its 10-11 record during the 2025 season.
The Chanticleers posted a 4-6 Sun Belt Conference record, earning wins over Louisiana, Texas State, Georgia Southern, and ULM.
The 2026 slate features 19 matches, including eight home contests at the Stevens Tennis Complex and 11 matches on the road.
All eight members of Coastal's 2025 roster, Nicole Abel, Anna Babayan, Katya Hersh, Brooke Rogers, Aida Mitrache, Sarah Clark, Brunelle Kouam, and Paula Cabrer were named to the 2025 ITA All-Academic Team, while Abel, Hersh, Mitrache and Babayan also garnered CSC Academic All-District honors.
The Chanticleers had one student athlete, Anna Babayan, earn 2025 All-Sun Belt Second Team singles honors. The senior also entered Coastal's all-time record book with 54 career doubles wins and will be missed during the 2026 season.
Coastal returns five players from its 2025 roster and adds three newcomers in Diana Zuba, Francisca Laundes, and Francesca Simpson.
The 2025–26 roster is comprised of one senior, three juniors, two sophomores, and two freshmen while also featuring five different nationalities including Spain, Romanian, Portugal, England, and the United States.
Head coach Catherine Hewitt enters her 15th season at the helm of the Chanticleer and owns a 199-106 career record and a 75-40 mark in Sun Belt Conference play.

For complete coverage of CCU women's tennis, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWTennis(X), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.

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Players Mentioned

Nicole Abel: 5' 6"; Senior

Anna Babayan: 5' 9"; Senior

Katya Hersh: 5' 9"; Graduate Student

Aida Mitrache: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Brooke Rogers: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Paula Cabrer: 5' 7"; Junior

Sarah Clark: 5' 5"; Freshman

Brunelle Kouam: 5' 3"; Freshman

Francisca Laundes: 5' 7"; Freshman

Francesca Simpson: 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Nicole Abel
: 5' 6"; Senior

Anna Babayan
: 5' 9"; Senior

Katya Hersh
: 5' 9"; Graduate Student

Aida Mitrache
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Brooke Rogers
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Paula Cabrer
: 5' 7"; Junior

Sarah Clark
: 5' 5"; Freshman

Brunelle Kouam
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Francisca Laundes
: 5' 7"; Freshman

Francesca Simpson
: 5' 5"; Freshman