RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Under first-year head coach Craig Kirchgessner, the Harding women's tennis team will enter the spring season as the team to beat. On Tuesday, the Great American Conference announced its 2026 preseason coaches poll, with the Lady Bisons claiming the top spot.

Harding secured two first-place votes, narrowly edging out rival Southern Arkansas for the No. 1 position in a highly competitive conference field.

A Powerhouse Duo Returns

The Lady Bisons enter the 2026 campaign fueled by a dominant fall season and the return of two All-GAC performers. Junior Karli Roux, a First-Team selection in 2025, leads the charge. Roux currently holds the No. 7 singles ranking in the Central Region after a stellar fall that included a Flight 1 title at the GAC Individual Championships and a run to the Round of 16 at the ITA Central Regionals.

Roux has also found chemistry with freshman standout Brooke Coffman. The duo has quickly become one of the most formidable pairs in the nation, ranking as the ITA's No. 8 doubles team. Their fall resume is highlighted by:

• Reaching the finals of the ITA Central Region Championships

• Capturing the Flight 1 GAC Individual title

• Advancing to the quarterfinals of the prestigious ITA Cup

Harding also welcomes back Second-Team All-GAC honoree Sofi Sarmiento, providing Coach Kirchgessner with a deep, veteran lineup as he enters his first spring at the helm.

The GAC Landscape

The battle for the top of the conference will be tight, with Southern Arkansas also receiving two first-place votes to land in second. Southeastern Oklahoma State and Henderson State followed in third and fourth, respectively, each picking up a first-place vote of their own.

Looking Ahead

The Lady Bisons will officially debut their spring season on Friday, February 6, at Drury, as they begin the quest for a conference title.

The road to the postseason leads to Bentonville, Arkansas, where the top six teams will compete in the GAC Championships from May 1–3.