LAKELAND, Fla. – The No. 8 Florida Southern College women's tennis team is set to compete in the 42nd Sunshine State Conference championship facing the No.16/ sixth-seed Rollins College in the quarterfinals as the third-seed. This will be a rematch between the Moccasins and Tars as FSC fell in the first conference game of the season as the rematch will be scheduled on April 24 in the quarterfinals on Friday afternoon at the NSU Tennis Center at Rollins Hills in Davie, Florida hosted by Nova Southeastern.
SSC Quarterfinal
Opponent: No.16/ sixth-seed Rollins College
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. |
NSU Tennis Center at Rollins Hills
Date: Friday, April 24, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.
Tournament Page:
https://sunshinestateconference.com/tournaments/?id=265
The Moccasins return to the SSC tournament as the third seed. FSC is looking for a rematch against the Tars after falling during the regular season 4-3 in Winter Park, Fla.
"Super excited for the weekend," said
Trish Riddell. "A tough task with our conference including the top three teams in the country. The team earned an opportunity to play Rollins and we look forward to a battle on Friday."
No.8/Third-Seed Florida Southern Moccasins
The Moccasins reached a major milestone this spring, climbing to No. 6 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division II rankings, marking the highest ranking in program history. The achievement reflects a season defined by consistency, depth, and standout individual performances across the lineup.
Florida Southern's success was fueled by a balanced roster that delivered at every position. The Mocs consistently secured the doubles point, with strong chemistry and execution setting the tone early in matches. Leading the way, the duo of
Josie Holderbach and
Kennedi Brown climbed to No. 29 in the ITA doubles rankings, establishing themselves as one of the top tandems in the nation.
In singles play, Florida Southern showcased impressive depth and resilience. Holderbach continued to anchor the lineup, earning a No. 29 national singles ranking, while
Emily Jennewein added to the team's national presence at No. 38. Their performances, along with key contributions throughout the lineup, allowed the Mocs to consistently outmatch opponents in both conference and non-conference play.
One of the defining moments of the season came in a statement victory over No. 4 Nova Southeastern University, where Florida Southern secured a major upset. The match was clinched in dramatic fashion by Jennewein, who ranked No. 48 at the time defeated No. 25 Chloe Henderson in a thrilling comeback, 0-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(8), sealing one of the biggest wins of the season for the Moccasins.
Series Matchup
Since 1972, both teams have faced each other 63 times, most recently on Feb. 12 when Rollins won 4-3 in Winter Park. Overall, the Mocs are 16-47 against the Tars, with the last postseason matchup on April 21, 2017, when FSC lost 5-0 in the SSC semifinals. Among all conference postseason action against Lynn, FSC has a 5-0 record in the tournament dating back to 1999.
Tournament History
Florida Southern has a 23-38 overall record in the SSC tournament dating back to 1996, with 26 appearances. Returning for back-to-back tournament appearances, last year the Mocs returned after a year away from the postseason. The Florida Southern College women's tennis team made an emphatic return to the 2025 Sunshine State Conference Tournament, opening play in a big way with a statement victory in the quarterfinal round. For the first time in program history, the No. 16 Moccasins defeated No. 26 Lynn University, earning a dramatic 4-3 win in a do-or-die matchup.
Other Matches in SSC
The opening round features two matchups between top-10 programs. No. 3 seed Florida Southern College faces No. 6 seed Rollins College. In the other first-round match, No. 4 Nova Southeastern takes on No. 5 Lynn.
NCAA Postseason
The tournament champion will earn an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championship. Regional competition will be held May 8-12 at non-predetermined sites, with the finals scheduled for May 19-23 at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex in Surprise. The championships will be hosted by the Pacific West Conference and the City of Surprise, with selections announced May 5.
