RICHMOND, Va. - VCU Women's Tennis was selected to win the Atlantic 10 in the league's preseason poll and placed three players on the Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Team, the conference announced Wednesday.

The Rams received 6 first-place votes and 132 total points to claim the top spot in the preseason poll. Fordham, which earned 5 first-place votes and 126 points, was picked second. Richmond placed third with 122 points, while Rhode Island rounded out the top four with 100 points and 1 first-place vote. Juniors Tania Isabel Andrade Sabando and Mariam Ibrahim, along with sophomore Sofia Jane Thorne, were all named to the Preseason All-Conference Team.

Andrade Sabando earns Preseason All-Conference recognition for the third consecutive year. Earlier this season, she was named A-10 Player of the Week during the opening week of conference action. In 2024-25, she was named Atlantic 10 First Team, earned ITA Scholar-Athlete honors, and was selected to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll. During the 2023-24 campaign, she garnered Second Team All-Conference honors and was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week.
So far this spring, Andrade Sabando holds a 2-1 singles record and a 2-1 doubles mark. Her most notable victory came on opening weekend, when she and Ibrahim defeated the nation's No. 48-ranked doubles pair of Mika Dagan Fruchtman and Neena Feldman.

Ibrahim earns her second career Preseason All-Conference selection. Last season, she was named Atlantic 10 First Team, earned ITA Scholar-Athlete recognition, and was selected to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll. This spring, Ibrahim is 3-2 in singles and 2-2 in doubles, highlighted by the ranked doubles win alongside Isabel Andrade over Northwestern's nationally ranked pair.

Thorne receives her first Preseason All-Conference honor following an impressive debut campaign with the Rams. Thorne was named First Team All-Conference, earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors twice, received ITA Scholar-Athlete recognition, and was selected to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll. This spring, Thorne is 2-2 in singles and 3-2 in doubles alongside Andrea Magallanes, competing primarily on Court 1.

The Rams are currently 3-2 as they pursue their second consecutive Atlantic 10 championship and 10th in the past 13 seasons. With a team full of returners and bright newcomers, along with reigning Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Rifa Kahfiani, VCU looks poised for another strong postseason run. If the preseason poll is any indication, a future clash with Fordham could be on the horizon.

VCU will take on William & Mary this afternoon at the Thalhimer Tennis Center.
 
2026 Preseason Women's Tennis Poll
1. VCU (6) - 132
2. Fordham (5) - 126
3. Richmond - 122
4. Rhode Island (1) - 100
5. Davidson - 97
6. George Washington - 81
7. Duquesne - 65
8. Saint Louis - 60
9. Dayton - 47
10. Saint Joseph's - 43
11. St. Bonaventure - 34
12. George Mason - 29