Lady Tiger tennis team primed for another national title run
Having won a national championship to go along with two national runner-up finishes in the last three seasons, the Cowley College women’s tennis team is poised to go after another title in the 2026 season.
The Lady Tigers return a veteran lineup led by Naghely Garcia Galian, the returning region champion at No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles. Galian capped her freshman campaign by finishing as the national runner-up at No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles, earning Second Team All-American honors.
Fellow returner Chiho Takada teamed with Akari Tomoyose to capture the region title at No. 2 doubles. Takada reached the semifinals of No. 5 singles and No. 2 doubles at the national tournament.
Cynthia Wanjala is coming off an impressive freshman season where she was named a Second Team All-American at No. 3 singles and No. 3 doubles. Kendra Arostegui is the returning region champion at No. 6 singles and No. 1 doubles. She advanced to the quarterfinals of No. 1 doubles and the semifinals of No. 6 singles at last year's national tournament.
Sofia Karlau rounds out the list of returners as she is back with the team after suffering a season-ending injury that cut short her freshman season. Before coming to Cowley, she competed in the main draws of several ITF Futures events, gaining valuable experience.
"I can definitely say that, for all the sophomores, we want to do better than we did last year, and I feel they are very motivated and hungry for more," Cowley head coach Marcel Miasato said.
Lisa Takamura from Osaka, Japan and Yo Hozumi from Chiba, Japan, make up the freshmen on the roster. Takamura competed in the National High School Tennis Championship in Osaka, Japan, and will help the Tigers in singles and doubles. While, Hozuma finished among the top 16 at the 2024 National High School Tennis Team Championships.
Miasato is also excited about the addition of former Lady Tiger tennis player, Ane Ibarra, as assistant coach. Ibarra first came to Cowley from Valencia, Venezuela, where she became a doubles national champion for the Lady Tiger tennis team.
"I feel very confident having a coach who played and succeeded at the Junior College level," Miasato said.
The Lady Tigers will open the 2026 season on Sunday, February 1, when they play at NCAA Division II Washburn University at 12 p.m. Cowley will then return home to face Midwestern State at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 7 at the Arkansas City High School tennis courts.
"We had an amazing fall season and I look forward to what we can accomplish this season," Miasato said.