TOWSON, Md. - The Catholic women's tennis team took third in the Landmark Preseason Poll, it was announced this afternoon. The Cardinals earned 67 points in the competitive race, receiving three first-place votes.

Moravian and Scranton took first and second in the poll, the Greyhounds clinching the top spot with 75 points and four first-place votes while the Royals collected 72 points and three first-place votes for the second slot. Scranton defeated Moravian in last year's championship match, 4-2 to capture their first title since 2018. 

The Cardinals entered the Landmark Championship as the fourth seed last season, defeating Drew in the first round before falling to Moravian in the semifinals. Catholic secured their spot in the 2026 title conversation after compiling a 13-8 overall record and 6-3 record in Landmark play last season. 

The squad has had a competitive fall season, going 3-3 overall and playing in tightly contested matches. Nate Farlow will once again lead the team, entering his fourth season at the helm of the program. 

After being named 2024-25 Rookie of the Year, Shloka Tambat returns to the Cardinals for her sophomore season. Tambat received First Team All-Conference honors in both singles and doubles, going 13-6 overall in singles play and 14-6 overall in doubles play.

Mairead O'Hara also returns for the Cardinals, bringing First Team doubles experience to the squad. The junior from Cold Spring, N.Y. went 14-7 overall in doubles play last season and notched All-Landmark honors in 2024. 

Ella Knox and Ava Niggemeier both return as key contributors to the Cardinals program, each receiving Honorable Mention recognition in doubles during the 2024-25 campaign. Knox also picked up an Honorable Mention honor in singles.

Catholic will open their season on Saturday, Feb. 14 against Washington College. First serve is set for 1 p.m. at the Schottland Tennis Center in Chestertown, Md.