NJIT Men's and Women's Tennis Joins Big South Conference
New Jersey Institute of Technology has accepted an invitation from the Big South Conference and will join the NCAA Division I league as an associate member in the sports of men's and women's tennis, effective for the 2025-26 academic year.
"We are immensely excited to welcome three highly competitive tennis programs to the Big South Conference while continuing to provide optimal student-athlete experiences in the sports of Men's and Women's Tennis," stated Big South Conference Commissioner Sherika A. Montgomery. "With the recent addition of a Fall Individual Championship and championship expansion opportunities, our membership has remained committed to supporting the sport of tennis. We look forward to welcoming the tennis student-athletes from Bryant University and NJIT."
Big South Conference Homepage | Big South Conference Official Release
With the Big South Conference adding NJIT men's and women's tennis and Bryant men's tennis, next season the conference will have six women's teams: Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Longwood, NJIT, Presbyterian and UNC Asheville and have six men's team: Bryant, Gardner-Webb, Longwood, NJIT, Presbyterian and UNC Asheville.
"We are very excited for our men's and women's tennis teams to be joining the Big South Conference," said Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Lenny Kaplan. "Our tennis student- athletes deserve a conference in which to compete. I am glad to have been able to connect with Commissioner Montgomery early on in our search for a new home, and we are excited to compete for a Big South Conference tennis championship this upcoming year."
The NJIT men's tennis team was ranked fifth in the ITA Northeast Region as a team, coming off a tremendous season with an 18-4 overall record in 2025 and a second consecutive trip to the Southland Conference Championship Match. Pablo Perez Ramos and Nejc Skorjanc were ranked the eighth-best doubles tandem in the region, while Perez Ramos landed ninth on the regional list in singles play.
"We're really excited to be joining the Big South Conference for men's tennis and starting a new chapter in NJIT Tennis," said Marco Matteucci who will be entering his fifth season as head coach. "We are very happy to be able to keep competing at a high level, face new challenges and have the opportunity to compete for a championship. Thank you to the conference for welcoming us—we're looking forward to the future ahead of us!"
NJIT women's tennis was ranked seventh in the ITA Northeast Region after posting a 13-6 overall record this season. Additionally, Irene Cocero and Laura Wipfli were ranked #10 in the Northeast Regional rankings in doubles competition. NJIT concluded the 2024-25 season with its fourth consecutive trip to the Southland Conference Tournament and second Southland Conference semifinal appearance. The 13 overall wins this season marks the fourth straight season of double-digit victories.
"We are truly honored and grateful to join the Big South Conference," said Patricia Piorkowski McDonald who will enter her fourth season at the helm of the Highlander women. "It's an exciting step forward for the NJIT tennis program. I am looking forward to growing together in competition, sportsmanship, and shared excellence.
The NJIT men's and women's tennis programs will participate in the Big South's Championship Tournaments (top 4 teams in the standings) and will be eligible for the league's automatic berths to the NCAA Men's and Women's Tennis Tournaments.
The 2026 Big South Conference Championship dates are October 24-26, 2025 (Tennis Individual Singles & Doubles) and April 15-18, 2026 (Tennis Championships) in Lexington, SC at the Lexington County Tennis Complex.
About the Big South Conference
For more than 40 years, the Big South Conference has been an exemplary leader in college athletics since its founding in 1983, dedicated to developing student-athletes through the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, community and field of play. The league's growing presence as an NCAA Division I athletic conference is made evident by its multitude of athletic accomplishments, innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased television packages and most importantly, its commitment to fostering the academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of its student-athletes. Comprised of nine full member institutions sharing a common geographic region and similar academic values and purposes, the Big South's remarkable history of achievement is characterized by the league's 19 championship sports and the profound academic and life successes of its more than 3,200 student-athletes. This has evolved into the conference's "Where Winners Are Made" mantra as part of a strategic emphasis through its six Core Values of Academic Centrality; Athletic Excellence; Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Integrity; Sportsmanship & Fair Play; and Student-Athlete Welfare. For more information, visit www.BigSouthSports.com.