Links:
2025 Roster |
2025 Schedule |
2025 Coaches |
2025 Statistics
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - In collegiate tennis, the abbreviated fall season is the ideal time to build a team identity and bolster chemistry.
That is the plan for the Williams College women's tennis program heading into the 2025 fall season, as the Ephs welcome back seven returning student-athletes and add three newcomers to the mix. The unit is prioritizing gaining valuable experience over the next couple months, and then peaking at the optimal time in the spring during NESCAC competition.
"The fall season gives us a chance not only to work on our tennis game individually, but also to work on how we want to build as a team," said
Jane Ladaga '26. "As a collective team, we collaborate on how to show up for each other in the spring and build trust. It is also a great opportunity for us to foster stronger relationships within the team and better support one another in challenging moments."
During her first season at the helm of the program in 2017-18, head coach
Anik Cepeda led the Ephs to a NESCAC Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division III Final Four. She has coached 10 student-athletes to All-American status and powered the group to the Sweet 16 in back-to-back seasons during 2021 and 2022. Historically, the Ephs have won 10 NCAA Championships, including six consecutive from 2008-13, while the program leads the NESCAC with 10 conference titles.
"Our returners are experienced and inspired, while our incomers are enthusiastic and eager to get to work," said Cepeda. "That is a great combination. The coaches are looking forward to working diligently with everyone over the next couple of months in order to set ourselves up for a successful spring. The team is in great hands with Ladaga and
Mia Thomann '26 as captains."
During the 2025 fall season, the Ephs will compete at the Middlebury Invite on Sept. 12-14, and then the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) New England Regional on Sept. 26-28 in Middlebury, Vermont.
Williams only graduated one student-athlete from the 2024-25 team, but
Yuu Ishikawa '25 left behind an extraordinary legacy. She was a three-time ITA All-American in doubles action, while being named to the NESCAC All-Conference First Team in doubles four times, All-Conference First Team in singles twice and All-Conference Second Team in singles once. She was honored on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) NCAA Division III Academic All-America Second Team during her senior season.
The 2025-26 Ephs' roster features seven returners in Ladaga, Thomann,
Ahn Lin '27,
Margaux Molyneux '27,
Julia Zhang '27,
Mia Roets '28 and
Ellie Stark '28. Ladaga compiled a superb 2024-25 season, as she earned ITA All-American and NESCAC All-Conference First Team laurels in doubles. The program is thrilled to welcome
Ayanna Varma '29,
Katelyn Wu '29 and
Zoe Yao '29 to the family, while
Andrew Dorr enters his fourth season as an assistant coach.
Josh Rubel will be an NCAA-eligible male practice player for the fourth consecutive season, while
Sammy Xiang enters his first year in the position.
"The key aspect to our team's success this year is showing up for each other outside of tennis and training," said Ladaga. "My co-captain, Mia, and I are already planning fun team activities we could do throughout the year. It is exciting to build it out because I can imagine how much enjoyment and fun we are going to have as a team and experience meaningful moments together. That will only strengthen our relationships with each other and bring us closer in the long run."Â
