ROME, Ga. -- For the first time in program history a Christopher Newport doubles tandem has been selected as an alternate for the ITA Cup as junior Kendal Chang and newcomer Anna Bong were announced as potential participants on Wednesday.

Formerly known as the Small College Nationals, the ITA Cup is held annually at the Rome Tennis Center in Georgia and has a history dating back to 1986. In 2025, more than 8,000 players participated in 60 regional tournaments to gain entry into the ITA Cup field and this year's field includes 16 doubles teams and four alternate pairings. 

Bong and Chang are listed as the third alternate for the event which will be held on October 15-18. The duo made CNU women's tennis history on September 27 when the Captains' tandem became the first doubles team to advance to the semifinals of the ITA Southeast Regional Championships. 

In the fall, Bong and Chang are 4-1 together with a Division I win against Hampton University and three wins in the ITA Regionals.