NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 16, 2026) – Lilian Bandel, a senior at Chestnut Hill College, is the winner of the 2026 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Women’s Tennis Championship Scholar Award, CACC Commissioner Dan Mara announced today.

The CACC Championship Scholar Award (formerly Top XVI Award) is presented in each of the conference’s NCAA championship sports to the student-athlete at the finals site with the highest cumulative undergraduate grade-point average and at least 48 credits earned at his/her current institution. The student-athlete must be a member of the active roster and be competing at the finals site.

Bandel, of Deggendorf, Germany, maintains a 3.93 GPA at Chestnut Hill while majoring in business administration & management. She was also named to the All-CACC Second Team and the All-CACC Sportsmanship Team.

Wilmington University will host the CACC Women’s Tennis Championship tournament on Saturday and Sunday at Delcastle Tennis Center in Wilmington, Del. For more information, visit the CACC Championship Central web page.

 

Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 21 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – seven for men, 10 for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.