university of maryland

The Maryland women’s tennis team capped off a historic 2026 campaign with a run that reestablished the program among the Big Ten’s elite and returned the Lady Terps to the national stage for the first time in more than a decade.

Maryland surged to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals for the first time in program history, highlighted by a statement 4-2 upset quarterfinal victory over the No. 2 seed and 12th-ranked USC Trojans.

More than 70 NCAA Division I female athletes from colleges and universities in the Mid-Atlantic region enjoyed abundant sunshine and pristine tennis weather September 19-21 at JTCC in the ninth Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Bedford Cup.

Players from Coppin State University, Delaware State University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University Maryland, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, University of Maryland, Virginia Commonwealth University, and West Virginia University competed in singles and doubles matches in draws based on their World Tennis Number (WTN).

JTCC alumna Kallista Liu capped her standout college career by being named the ITA National Most Improved Player of the Year, recognizing her steady rise to the top of collegiate tennis at the University of Maryland.

“Kallista’s journey is the epitome of this award,” said Maryland Head Coach Katie Dougherty. “She came in playing No. 6 singles and left playing No. 1 as a unanimous All-Big Ten selection. After not cracking the doubles lineup her first two years, she finished playing No.1 and ranked nationally. This is a huge and well-deserved honor.”