PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State women's tennis team will kick off its 2025-26 season on Tuesday, Aug. 26, with a home match against Castleton.

In their previous season, the Cardinals posted a 7-6 overall record and went 2-3 in SUNYAC play, earning the No. 4 seed in the SUNYAC Tournament before ultimately falling to New Paltz. Following the graduation of four seniors — three of whom earned all-conference honors last season — the team will rely heavily on senior Kristy Cantwell (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh) and juniors Jacklin Mitchell (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Peru) and Ava Carey (Nanuet, N.Y./Nanuet). Chris Waterbury returns to Plattsburgh to take the helm as the program's new coach.

"I'm incredibly excited to be back at Plattsburgh and honored to step into this role," said tennis coach Chris Waterbury. "I want to thank Kelci Henn for all her support in making this a smooth transition, she's built a strong foundation here. We have a great group of returners and some talented newcomers, all bringing a strong work ethic, and I'm really looking forward to building on that momentum this season."

Cantwell, the squad's returning all-conference honoree, was named to the SUNYAC First Team in doubles alongside now-graduated Hallie Hurwitz. The duo became the first Plattsburgh doubles team to earn First-Team honors since Rukshana Abdeen and Sarah Hoeffner in 2019. They posted a 5-4 record at No. 2 doubles, went 2-2 in conference play, and finished 5-5 overall.

Carey led the team at the No. 1 position in both singles and doubles, finishing with a 7-6 overall record and a 2-2 mark in SUNYAC doubles play. Mitchell had a standout season in singles, compiling an 8-4 overall record, including a 2-2 conference record. She went 1-0 at No. 2 singles, 6-4 at No. 3, and 1-0 at No. 4. In doubles, Mitchell also saw success, recording a 7-6 overall record while playing primarily at the No. 1 spot alongside Carey.
 
Rounding out the returning roster for the Cardinals are senior Marena Tubo (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal), junior Julia Gyebi (Bronx, N.Y./Preston), and sophomore Taya Wood (Ellenburgh Depot, N.Y./Saranac). The team also welcomes a strong group of newcomers: Bianca Buel (Hyde Park, NY), Abigail MacDougal (Keeseville, NY/AuSable Valley), Carmen Marino (Buchanan, NY/Hendrick Hudson), Mirabelle Nonni (Essex Junction,/VT Essex), and Ava Perry (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh).