MIDDLETOWN, CT. -  A national champion as a member of the Wesleyan women's tennis team, the 2026 NCAA Division III National Champions, Leila Epstein becomes the second Wesleyan student athlete named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American selection this season as announced on Monday, June 8. Epstein earns recognition on the First Team for the first time.

Eligibility for the CSC Academic All-America nominations requires a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically with a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA while serving as a starter or significant reserve.

The New York City native finished the semester with a 4.00 GPA, just one of six Division III selections to hit a 4.00 while majoring in molecular biology & biochemistry and one of four NESCAC representatives. Epstein is the second CSC Academic All-American selection for the Cardinals this year, joining Aiden Londergan of men's soccer, and the first for the women's tennis program since 2022 (Kristina Yu '22). Beyond the 2026 national title, Epstein's accolades this season include 2026 All-NESCAC First Team Singles and Doubles selections.

Ranked 28^th while anchoring the Cardinals at No. 1, Epstein returned to the lineup for the 2026 season following a season ending injury in 2025. Epstein finished the season 11-11 overall while running a 4-2 conference record and a 5-9 record at No. 1. With several doubles partners Epstein was 14-10 overall and 9-7 with teammate Lucinda Gatsiounis.  In career singles action, Epstein is 44-24 all time and this season alone faced a large crop of Top 20 opponents.