Columns and Courts: Mizzou Tennis takeaways
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Missouri women's tennis has spent the opening months of its fall season adjusting to a new coaching staff, evaluating its roster and building chemistry as the Tigers prepare for the spring dual-match schedule.
Head coach Robin Goodman, who was hired in May 2026, has used the fall tournaments to establish his expectations and learn more about a roster that features just one returning player from last season. Associate head coach Manny Raga and assistant coach Bronte Murgett have joined Goodman in helping guide the program through the transition.
The fall schedule has provided an early opportunity for the staff to evaluate individual performances while emphasizing the importance of competing together, particularly as the team works toward its goals for the upcoming spring season.
The ITA Central Regional Championships marked an important checkpoint for Missouri, bringing together all three coaches and the Tigers' nine player roster for the tournament.
Missouri recorded 11 wins on the opening day of competition Thursday, Oct. 15, giving the team early momentum and opportunities to test itself against regional competition.
Goodman was encouraged by the team's willingness to compete and support one another throughout the tournament, pointing to those qualities as important parts of the program's development.
"Another great tournament for us," Goodman said. "Really proud of the way these girls fight and their willingness to support one another."
The tournament also gave the coaching staff more time to assess how its players respond to competitive situations and work alongside their teammates. With a brand new group coming together, those experiences could prove valuable when Missouri transitions to the spring season, when dual matches will place a greater emphasis on collective results.
Missouri entered the fall with nine players, seven of whom are freshmen, alongside sophomore Alex Ackman and junior Millie Skelton, a transfer from SMU. Ackman is well documented as the only player returning from last season's roster, making the early tournaments especially important for a team learning to compete under a new staff.
The Tigers opened the fall at the Husker Invitational in September before traveling to Charlotte for the 49er Invite. Missouri earned 12 wins against opponents including Charlotte, Clemson, Maryland and Rutgers at the latter tournament, continuing a productive start to the season.
The ITA Central Regional Championships provided another encouraging result, as Missouri finished with 17 wins across three days of competition. Ackman and freshman Daria Budko advanced in the singles main draw, while all four Missouri doubles teams won their opening matches to give the Tigers a 4-0 start in doubles play.
The tournament also showed the challenges that come with competing against established programs. Ackman and freshman Danielle Chapman both played three-set matches in the main draw's round of 32 but were unable to advance, providing experience in high-pressure situations that could benefit them later in the season.
Missouri's early results suggest the team is making progress, but the primary takeaway is the development happening beyond the win-loss column. Goodman and his staff are establishing expectations for consistency, discipline and communication while the players learn how to compete alongside one another.
The Tigers will continue that process at the Jae Foundation Invite, hosted by TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, from Oct. 22-24. The tournament offers another opportunity for Missouri's young roster to gain experience.
With a new coaching staff and an almost entirely new roster, Missouri still has plenty to establish before the spring season begins. However, the Tigers' steady collection of wins and growing team chemistry have given Goodman an encouraging starting point as he works to build the program's future.
Tiger Top Spin will be back next Monday recapping the Jae Foundation Invite. Columns and Courts will return next Wednesday looking forward to ITA sectionals.