Court Injunction Allows Caroline Driscoll to Compete
A Santa Clara County judge ruled that the tennis player can participate in the 2026-27 season.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Tennis
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Caroline Driscoll has joined the Stanford women's tennis roster for the 2026-27 season following a favorable court ruling. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Beth McGowen granted a preliminary injunction in the Glancey vs. NCAA lawsuit, allowing named athletes to compete.
Why it matters
The ruling provides immediate clarity for athletes whose eligibility was previously in question due to ongoing litigation against the NCAA. This legal step ensures that competitors like Driscoll can maintain their collegiate careers while the case proceeds toward trial.
Driscoll brings a 18-12 singles record from the previous season to Stanford, including an 8-8 mark on court three. The court ruling grants the athlete a fifth year of eligibility for the current collegiate tennis season.
The players
Caroline Driscoll
She is a collegiate tennis player who has joined the Stanford roster after previously playing for the University of Denver.
Beth McGowen
She is the Santa Clara County Superior Court judge who granted the preliminary injunction in the Glancey vs. NCAA case.
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association serves as the primary governing body for university sports in the United States.
The details
The court upgraded the players' legal status from a Temporary Restraining Order to a full preliminary injunction. Driscoll joins the Stanford team after previously competing for the University of Denver for two seasons.
Timeline
2026-27 season is when Driscoll plays for the Stanford women's tennis team.
November 17-22, 2026, marks the period for NCAA individual championships in Athens, Georgia.
Season Trajectory
The ruling in Glancey vs. NCAA significantly alters the competitive landscape for the 2026-27 season by stabilizing rosters for named plaintiffs. This judicial intervention impacts the distribution of talent across major programs as teams prepare for upcoming championship events.
Driscoll will now be eligible for Stanford's lineup in upcoming competitions, including the NCAA individual championships in Athens. Her inclusion provides the program with a veteran player who holds an 18-12 record from the previous season.
The takeaway
Legal rulings involving eligibility can shift team dynamics rapidly during a collegiate season. Athletes and coaches should monitor ongoing court updates as the NCAA considers further appeals to these injunctions.
What happens next
The NCAA is expected to appeal the court ruling and may seek an emergency stay to stop athletes from competing.
Further reading
Find more coverage of collegiate competition on the Tennis page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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