Illinois Valley posts best finish among Region 4 schools at NJCAA nationals
SUMTER, SO. CAR. - The 2026 NJCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championships featured several Region 4 teams competing, with Illinois Valley Community College leading that contingent as they tied for 13th place overall with 10.5 points. The College of Lake County and Sauk Valley Community College each tied for 19th with 2.0 points.
The region claimed just two victories in the winners brackets in the tournament. The College of Lake County's Sasha Baer, who was the Region 4 Most Valuable Player in the fall, won her Round of 32 match in the Singles Flight #1, while the Illinois Valley tandem of Raleigh Leininger and Isabella Pecchio picked up a Round of 32 victory in Doubles Flight #2.
The Eagles found a lot of success in the consolation bracket, led by a doubles partners Mina James and Phoebe Shetterly winning the Flight #3 title with a thrilling 9-8 victory. Mackenzie Eichelkraut and Ellie Taylor also reached the consolation final for IVCC in Flight #1.
On the singles side, the Eagles' Alexandra Mahan and James each reached the consolation final in Flight #3 and #6, respectively. Pecchio and Leininger both reached the consolation semifinals in Flights #4 and #5, respectively, with each eliminating a Sauk Valley Community College players (Julia Rhodes and Katie Kammerer) in the quarterfinals.
The Skyhawks did send Addison Arjes to the consolation semifinals in Flight #2, and again with Grace Ferguson in Doubles Flight #1.
2026 NJCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championships Final Results