LMU Women's Tennis Welcomes Three Newcomers Ahead of 2026-27 Campaign

LOS ANGELES, CA - LMU women's tennis head coach Agustín Moreno and associate head coach Becca Weissmann have announced the addition of three student-athletes who will join the program for the 2026-27 season. Rising transfers Yelyzaveta Chainykova and Melis Mert, along with incoming freshman Ilana Toro, will strengthen the Lions' roster ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Chainykova joins the Lions after spending the 2025-26 season at Charlotte, where the rising junior from Odesa, Ukraine, recorded four singles victories while competing primarily in the No. 5 and No. 6 positions. She also posted a perfect 5-0 doubles record alongside four different partners. Prior to beginning her collegiate career, Chainykova established herself as one of Ukraine's top junior players, capturing eight ITF Junior doubles titles and one ITF Junior singles championship, climbing to No. 165 in the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings, and earning her first WTA points while competing in Tunisia.

Mert joins the Lions following a strong freshman season at Azusa Pacific. The Coto de Caza, California, native compiled a 13-8 singles record while competing primarily in the No. 4, 5, and 6 positions. She also contributed in doubles, recording a 4-4 mark while playing in the No. 2 and 3 spots.

Toro rounds out the incoming class as a freshman from Dallas, Texas. She will begin her collegiate career with the Lions this fall.

The trio joins an LMU program coming off another successful season under Moreno, as the Lions finished 12-10 overall and advanced to the West Coast Conference Tournament semifinals. The additions provide valuable collegiate experience and depth while continuing to strengthen LMU's roster heading into the 2026-27 season.

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