DALLAS (SMU) – When Sophie Llewellyn arrived in Dallas, she quickly realized that college tennis was a different level of competition.
As a freshman with the SMU women's tennis program in 2025, she sought guidance from the veterans on the roster, most notably recent grad Drew Morris. She learned a lot quickly – lessons the sophomore is now bestowing on the next generation of Mustangs.
"When I started, I kind of looked up to the older players, like Drew, especially because she was at SMU all four years and I tried to emulate what she does," Llewellyn said. "With our new girls, they've done a really good job, even through the short time they've been here, of trying to do what the new coaches have asked of them. We've all kind of been in that learning process with all our new coaches. It kind of felt like I was a freshman again a little bit. But I feel like we've all handled it really well and I'm really loving the direction the program is going."
The 2026 season will be a lesson in navigating change as the team balances a lot of newness. In August, SMU welcomed former Wisconsin coach Kelcy McKenna to the department just ahead of the fall schedule starting. Additionally, the Mustangs currently have a roster of seven players – five who are new to Dallas including four true freshmen.
Llewellyn and junior Caroline McGinley are the only two returners who suited up for the Mustangs last season. Junior Natalie Stasny does have prior college experience, spending two years at Michigan State.
With all that change, McGinley and Llewellyn have done their part to handle the leadership role. They're making sure these wide-eyed rookies are prepared for the rigors of college athletics, while also acclimating themselves to the expectations and standards of the new coaching staff.
"I think having the prior years under our belt definitely helped us. That allowed us to lead the other girls a little bit through the transition," McGinley said. "I think coming in as a freshman was a little scary for a few of them, which is totally understandable. I think going into the season we're definitely teaching the girls what the college environment is like and what it takes to be a team. I think that'll be super exciting."
The spring schedule officially opens on Friday when SMU hosts a doubleheader with Air Force at 10 a.m. CT and Abilene Christian at 4 p.m. CT at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex. Six of the team's eight non-conference matches before ACC play opens will be at home, giving the squad a chance to develop some early chemistry in a familiar setting.
While much has changed, the expectations in Dallas remain high. SMU finished its first season of ACC competition with a 12-14 record. But that was with a different roster and different coaching staff.
Adversity might come, but it's a challenge the team is embracing.
"We don't just wanna play in the ACC, we want to be at the top," Llewellyn said. "Now that I think we've gone through it, we just know what to expect. Every team is good and I'm really excited for a battle every time we step on the court. We're trying to be at the top of the ACC, not just playing in it."
