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For the fourth year in a row, Flagler have been selected as favorites for the 2026 season. The Saints received five first place votes from the league’s coaches, with North Georgia receiving two and Columbus State receiving one. The trio were crowned PBC Regular Season Co-Champions in 2025. 

 

The Saints captured a share of the PBC Regular Season title in 2025, before falling in the PBC Tournament semi-finals. Their momentum began to build in NCAA Tournament play, as they made a run to the NCAA National Semi-Finals before closing their season out with a 23-6 record. The Saints see two PBC All-Conference members return for the 2026 season with senior Eryka Kruk and junior Sofia Balsera. 

 

North Georgia captured a share of the PBC Regular Season title and the PBC Tournament title in 2025. The Nighthawks continued their run deep into NCAA Tournament play, before falling to conference foe Flagler in the NCAA National Quarterfinals. North Georgia closed their season with a 21-7 record. 

 

Columbus State also captured a share of the PBC Regular Season title in 2025 and reached the PBC Tournament final. The Cougars received the #3 seed in the NCAA Tournament where they fell to North Georgia in the second round. Columbus State closed their season with a 16-7 record. The Cougars see the return of two PBC All-Conference members, with seniors Nickoline Gullacksen and Laura Pesickova (doubles). 

 

GCSU, Middle Georgia, Augusta, Lander and Georgia Southwestern round out the Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The coaches’ poll is below, followed by the preseason All-Conference team. Coaches were not permitted to rank their own team or vote for their own players.

 

PBC Women’s Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll

 






Rank
Team
Points


1.
Flagler (5)
47


2.
North Georgia (2)
43


3.
Columbus State (1)
39


4.
GCSU
27


5.
Middle Georgia
24


6.
Augusta
20


7.
Lander
17


8.
Georgia Southwestern
7

PBC Women’s Tennis Preseason All-Conference

Nikoline Gullacksen, Columbus State


2025 All-Conference First Team, Singles
2025 All-Conference First Team, Doubles
2025 ITA Southeast Region Most Improved Player
2025 ITA All-American, Singles
Posted a 10-6 singles record
Posted a 10-5 doubles record
Currently ranked #16 in the region in singles and #9 in doubles 

Sofia Lauretti, Columbus State


Posted a 17-1 singles record
Posted a 5-1 singles record in PBC play
Currently ranked #18 in the region in singles 

Laura Pesickova, Columbus State


2025 All-Conference Second Team, Doubles
Posted a 7-11 singles record
Posted a 13-6 doubles record
Currently ranked #13 in the region in singles and #9 in doubles 

Eryka Kruk, Flagler


2025 All-Conference Second Team, Singles
Posted a 27-5 singles record
Posted a 17-16 doubles record
Currently ranked #4 in the region #25 in the nation in singles

Sofia Balsera, Flagler


2025 All-Conference Second Team, Singles
2025 All-Conference Second Team, Doubles
Posted a 29-8 singles record
Posted a 19-13 doubles record
Currently ranked #10 in the region in singles 

Evelyn Altmaier, Lander


2025 All-Conference Second Team, Singles
Posted a 11-7 singles record
Posted a 9-6 doubles record
Currently ranked #20 in the region in singles

Linn Goerdes, North Georgia


Posted a 14-9 singles record
Posted a 14-8 doubles record
Currently ranked #3 in the region and #19 in the nation in doubles