MACOMB, IL. — The Western Illinois women's tennis team opens its 2026 fall season this weekend, traveling to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to compete in the SEMO Invitational on Sept. 11-12.
The invitational marks the beginning of the Leathernecks' fall campaign as Western Illinois looks to build on a competitive finish to its previous season and use the fall schedule as an opportunity to continue developing ahead of the spring season.
Western Illinois returns an experienced group with a strong foundation at the top of the lineup. The Leathernecks will be led by a trio of All-Conference performers in junior Mana Fawcett, senior Jessica Hess and junior Chloe Routier.
Fawcett returns after earning first-team All-Conference honors in both singles and doubles, establishing herself as one of the team's top performers. Hess, a senior, earned first-team All-Conference recognition in doubles and brings veteran leadership into her final season with the Leathernecks. Routier also returns following a second-team All-Conference selection, adding experience and depth to the lineup.
Along with its returning core, Western Illinois welcomes two newcomers who add valuable collegiate experience to the roster.
Fifth-year student-athlete Emma Dell joins the Leathernecks after transferring from IU-Indy. Dell brings another season of collegiate competition and veteran experience to a roster already featuring multiple experienced players.
Junior transfer Ananya Dhankhar also joins Western Illinois after competing at LSU-New Orleans. Dhankhar adds depth to the Leathernecks' lineup and gives the team another experienced option heading into the new season.
With a combination of All-Conference returners, veteran leadership and experienced newcomers, Western Illinois enters the fall with a roster capable of competing at a high level.
The fall schedule will provide the Leathernecks with opportunities to test themselves against quality competition while continuing to build chemistry and prepare for the spring season. After a competitive conference campaign last season, Western Illinois will look to carry that experience forward and take another step as the 2026-27 season gets underway.
The Leathernecks begin that process this weekend at the SEMO Invite, opening the fall season with two days of competition in Cape Girardeau.
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