BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Navy received two of the four 2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis major awards, while Army West Point and Boston University each claimed one, as the League office announced the All-Patriot League teams and major awards on Friday.
Boston University sophomore Gabriella Mikaul was named the 2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Player of the Year after going 9-5 in singles matches and 5-0 in League matches and 8-5 in doubles matches, going 5-0 in League matches leading the Terriers to the No. 1 seed.
Army West Point’s duo of Emily Ruckno and Olivia Mellynchuk earned the 2026 Patriot League Doubles Team of the Year after going 19-1 in doubles with a 9-0 Patriot League record.
Navy freshman Nicole Fu collected 2026 Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors after going 28-8 overall in singles and earning the 2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Championship MVP to lead the Mids to their second title in program history.
The Navy coaching staff, led by head coach Keith Puryear, earned 2026 Patriot League Coaching Staff of the Year honors after claiming the League title and finishing 23-5 overall.
Seven of the League’s nine teams were represented on the two All-League teams. Army West Point, Boston University and Navy each had three members selected, while Lehigh had two selections and Bucknell, Colgate and Loyola Maryland each had one selection.
The major awards and All-League teams are voted on by the League’s nine head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their student-athletes or themselves.
2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Player of the Year
Gabriella Mikaul, Boston University, Fr., Manalapan, N.J./Laurel Springs School
*Mikaul posted a 9–5 singles record, including a perfect 5–0 mark against Patriot League opponents, all at No. 1 singles.
*She won all League matches in straight sets, including victories in the Patriot League championship match and quarterfinals.
*Mikaul compiled an 8–5 doubles record (5–0 PL), highlighted by a 7-6 (5) win over the No. 35-ranked Yale pair.
*The 2025 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Rookie of the Year was athree time Patriot League Player of the Week this season.
2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Doubles Team of the Year
Emily Ruckno/Olivia Mellynchuk, Army West Point
*The duo went 19–1 overall in doubles during the spring, including a perfect 9–0 mark in Patriot League play.
*Ruckno and Mellynchuk posted a 7–0 record at the No. 2 doubles position.
*The duo earned a win in the Patriot League Championship quarterfinals over Bucknell, 6-3.
2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Rookie of the Year
Nicole Fu, Navy, Fr., Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams
*Fu recorded a 28–7 overall singles record, including 15 dual wins and a 4–1 mark in Patriot League play.
*The freshman contributed across the lineup with success at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 singles while competing at No. 1 doubles.
*Fu was named Patriot League Championship MVP and earned Player of the Week honors on Jan. 27.
2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Coaching Staff of the Year
Navy – Head Coach Keith Puryear
*Led Navy to a 23–5 overall record and a 5–1 mark in Patriot League play.
*Guided the Mids to the No. 2 seed and a 4–2 victory over Boston University in the championship match.
*Secured the program’s second Patriot League title and second in the last three seasons.
2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Major Awards
Player of the Year – Gabriella Mikaul, Boston University
Doubles Team of the Year – Emily Ruckno and Olivia Mellynchuk, Army West Point
Rookie of the Year – Nicole Fu, Navy
Coaching Staff of the Year – Navy (Head Coach Keith Puryear)
First Team All-League (Listed alphabetically by school)
Madison Smith, Army West Point
Gabriella Mikaul, Boston University
Abby Platt, Bucknell
Maggie Forkner, Lehigh
Emma Gu, Navy
Nicole Fu, Navy
Second Team All-League (Listed alphabetically by school) *
Emily Ruckno, Army West Point
Vennmukiil Mathivanan, Army West Point
Nancy Liu, Boston University
Madison Liu, Boston University
Amelia Galin, Colgate
Lena Dogadalski, Lehigh
Elena Hartley, Loyola Maryland
Grace Li, Navy
*Additional members added due to tie in voting
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.