(BIG TEN) – Seven Big Ten Conference schools earned berths into the 2026 NCAA Women’s Tennis Tournament, announced on Monday.
Michigan was the Big Ten’s automatic qualifier after winning the program’s fourth Big Ten Tournament title in the last five seasons on Sunday, defeating top-seeded Ohio State, 4-2, at the Auer Tennis Complex. The Wolverines received the No. 12 seed and will host the first and second rounds at the Varsity Tennis Center for the 12th time since 2010 and the fourth straight season. Joining Michigan in Ann Arbor are Florida (16-7), Toledo (13-8) and Illinois State (18-6). The Wolverines will face Illinois State (18-6) in the first round on Saturday, May 2.
Ohio State (23-4) earned the three seed and is set to host the first and second rounds for the sixth year in a row. Ohio State is a top 16 seed for the eighth time in program history, and it is the fourth time, and second straight year the Buckeyes have been seeded among the top four. The Buckeyes will face Youngstown State (13-11) in the opening round. Ohio State will also host Notre Dame (18-9) and Arizona (20-9) in Columbus.
USC (19-6) is the No. 13 seed and will host first and second rounds at Marks Stadium, playing Sacramento State (19-5) in the opening round. Utah (15-9) and California (12-7) join Sacramento State in Los Angeles. The Trojans have advanced to the postseason in each season since 2019.
Maryland (18-7) is making its first tournament appearance since 2011 and will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. to face South Carolina (12-12). Should the Terps advance, they will play the winner of No. 5-seed North Carolina (24-3) and Charleston Southern (11-8). The Terps enter the NCAA Tournament with 18 wins, tying a program record for the most wins in a single season, while Maryland’s eight Big Ten wins are a program record.
UCLA (16-7) will head to Arizona State (19-5) to play San Diego State (21-3) in the first round on Saturday. Denver (16-7) is set to play the host Sun Devils with winners advancing to the second round of tournament play. The Bruins advanced to the Round of 16 in 2025.
Washington (18-4) will make its 20th NCAA Tournament appearance and fifth consecutive, facing Liberty (16-9) on Saturday. No. 7-seed Virginia (21-5) will serve as the regional host and will play Saint Francis (16-8).
Wisconsin (17-7) advanced to the postseason for the fifth time in the past seven seasons and will begin tournament play in College Station, Texas, against Baylor (13-9) on Saturday, with Texas A&M (22-5) serving as the host to Quinnipiac (18-6).
The super regional round is set for May 8-9 on campus sites, and the final three rounds will be held May 15-18 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.
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