Washington State Women's Tennis Prepares for Showdown with Oregon
As the Washington State Women's Tennis team, ranked No. 61 nationally, gears up for another challenging match, they head to Eugene to face the No. 67 Oregon Ducks. This Friday's contest marks the fourth consecutive match against a nationally-ranked opponent for the Cougars, and it's shaping up to be an exciting clash at the Student Tennis Center.
Oregon's Formidable Challenge
The Ducks come into this matchup with a solid 9-4 record, fresh off a commanding 4-0 victory over No. 64 Rutgers.
Leading the charge for Oregon is Tilde Jagare, who has been a standout at the No. 1 position, boasting a 7-3 record in dual matches. Historically, Oregon holds a 41-26 advantage in the series, including a narrow 4-3 win in their last meeting in 2024.
Murphy's Moment in the Spotlight
Redshirt-senior Maxine Murphy has been turning heads, recently earning the West Coast Conference's Women's Singles Tennis Player of the Week. Her impressive victory over No. 10 Anastasiia Grechkina of Pepperdine was a career highlight, marking the highest-ranked win for a Cougar since Michaela Bayerlova's triumph at the 2022 NCAA Championships.
Teammates Making Waves
Murphy wasn't the only Cougar making headlines against Pepperdine. Senior Eva Alvarez Sande also delivered a stellar performance, defeating No.
43 Ziva Falkner. Their combined efforts underscore the depth and talent within the WSU squad.
Climbing the Rankings
Washington State's rise to No. 61 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings reflects their strong performances, moving up seven spots from the previous week. This momentum is crucial as they continue their season against formidable opponents.
WCC Preseason Predictions
In the 2026 West Coast Conference preseason poll, the Cougars were picked to finish third, behind defending champion Pepperdine and San Diego. Both Murphy and Alvarez Sande were named to the WCC Preseason Team, highlighting their key roles in the team's aspirations.
Looking Ahead
After their encounter with Oregon, the Cougars will return home to host Eastern Washington on March 21. This match will be another opportunity to showcase their skills and build on their growing success.
Navigating Conference Changes
This season marks the second year Washington State competes as an affiliate member of the West Coast Conference, following the Pac-12's realignment. The Cougars are set to rejoin the Pac-12 as full members in the 2026-27 season.
A New Team Member
The Cougars recently welcomed JoLynn Garrett, a 10-year-old signed through Team IMPACT. JoLynn, who lives with Williams syndrome, will be an honorary team member, participating in various team activities over the next two years.
Team Dynamics
The 2025-26 roster features a mix of experience and youth, led by seniors Maxine Murphy and Eva Alvarez Sande. Under the guidance of head coach Josh Graetz, who took the helm in 2025, the team is poised for a successful season. Graetz's leadership was instrumental in WSU's 2025 National Invitational Tournament title run, adding a layer of expertise to the program.
With their eyes set on another victory, the Cougars are ready to take on Oregon and continue their ascent in the national rankings.