Walnut, Calif. – Coming off a South Coast Conference championship and another deep postseason run, the Mt. San Antonio College Women's Tennis Team enters the 2026 season navigating change and aiming for growth.
Head coach Lee Shiomoto returns with a smaller roster and a younger lineup, but the expectations inside the program remain grounded in development, culture, and competitiveness.
"We had a great season last year," Shiomoto said. "There were several ladies who could have come back, but chose to focus on school, and another got picked up by a four-year. So, we had a number of girls who would have kept the team pretty good again this year, who aren't coming back for their second year."
Despite the departures, Mt. SAC returns key leadership at the top of the lineup. Mia Vo headlines the roster and will anchor the team in the No. 1 spot, joined by returning players Sichen Chang and Jancy Myer.
"Mia will be my number one," Shiomoto said. "And Sichen and Jancy coming back gives us experience and stability."
The Mounties also welcome several new players, and while the overall skill level may not mirror last season's depth just yet, the hunger and effort are there.
"The skill level isn't quite as strong as last year," Shiomoto admitted. "But they are hungry. They want to play and they are willing to learn. So, we will be okay."
This season also brings a new challenge, as Mt. SAC transitions into a new conference. Shiomoto believes one opponent stands out immediately.
"Based off last year with individuals and teams, I would say Riverside would be the toughest competition," he said. "They had a strong team last year."
The Mounties and Riverside never completed a full match last season due to weather, leaving plenty of unknowns.
"We didn't have a full match with them because it got rained out," Shiomoto said. "We played their number ones in just one doubles match on the way to the state championship. But if you combine all six singles and the three doubles teams, I don't know how it would have gone."
Rather than focusing solely on results, Shiomoto's goals for the season center on growth, chemistry, and enjoyment—especially with a young roster of just seven players.
"I'm looking to keep them happy, keep them aggressive, keep them focused," he said. "We have a new assistant coach this year, Nicole Escamillo. She's a former No. 1 player here at Mt. SAC and then played at Hope International University, so she'll be really good for the girls."
Team chemistry has already become a strength, led in large part by Myer, whom Shiomoto affectionately calls the team's glue.
"Oh yes—Jancy is like the team mom," he said with a laugh. "She controls all the guys and all the girls. She sets up all the group chats. She's the organizer of the group. A strong student and a strong athlete."
That leadership has helped foster close bonds throughout the team.
"They do so many things together, it's unbelievable," Shiomoto said. "Topgolf, beach trips, bowling—they do everything together."
With only seven players on the roster—just one more than the minimum required to compete—depth will be a challenge all season long.
"I was hoping for 12," Shiomoto said. "Right now, we can't afford to get sick or injured. But women's programs across the board are struggling. A lot of places have dropped women's tennis because they don't have enough athletes."
Still, Shiomoto remains optimistic about what lies ahead.
"It's going to be a fun year," he said. "Record-wise, I don't think we're looking at anything spectacular. But we're trying to keep them motivated, keep them happy, and get my freshmen to come back next year so we can build on that."
After a championship season and continued individual success—including back-to-back state doubles titles last year—the Mounties enter the new campaign focused not just on winning, but on laying the foundation for what's next.
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