breaking: UNC Women’s Tennis Unveils 2026 Spring Schedule, With Brantmeier And Kajuru Leading The Charge
Table of Contents
- 1. breaking: UNC Women’s Tennis Unveils 2026 Spring Schedule, With Brantmeier And Kajuru Leading The Charge
- 2. evergreen insights
- 3. reader engagement
- 4. – Teh first step toward a second national championship. UNC’s historic 2024 regional performance (5‑0 record) positions the Tar Heels as a top‑four seed in the region.
Chapel Hill, N.C. – The North carolina women’s tennis program rolled out its 2026 spring slate on Thursday, aiming to carry momentum from back-to-back ACC titles and a Final Four run into the new season.
The Tar Heels open at home on January 11, hosting Campbell at 1 p.m., a kickoff to a busy stretch that also features in-state rivalries Gardner-Webb and Appalachian state the following weekend. Virginia visits on January 19 to cap a headlining early schedule.
Carolina will then host ITA Kick-Off before heading to Cary for a showdown with NC State on January 30. A marquee non-conference test follows early in February when the Tar Heels host the defending national champions, Georgia.
UNC and Georgia split last season, with a 4-3 UNC win at home and a 4-0 loss in the NCAA semifinals, setting the stage for a high-profile rematch to begin February. the squad will take part in the ITA National Team Indoor Championship February 6-9, then return home to host Elon on february 17.
The ACC slate starts February 20 at the Chewning Tennis Center against Syracuse, followed by a home heavy schedule against Boston College, Notre Dame, Louisville, Clemson, and Georgia Tech later in the season.
March kicks off with a road trip to Dallas to face SMU on March 1. The pair of road ACC matches to close the conference schedule comes April 10 against Miami and April 12 at Florida State, before the Tar Heels defend their ACC title on April 14 in Cary.
UNC closed last season by topping Virginia 4-0 to clinch the ACC crown, the program’s second straight championship. The May 1 start of postseason play will determine if UNC can reach a second consecutive Final Four and chase what would be only the second NCAA Championship in school history.
Key returners anchor the roster this spring: Reese Brantmeier, the 2025 NCAA Singles National Champion, and transfer addition Mayu Kajuru. Brantmeier owns a record of All-America honors across her Carolina tenure, highlighting a leadership role as the team navigates a demanding schedule. Kajuru arrived from Oklahoma State and has already contributed nine singles wins and an 11-2 doubles mark with Susanna Maltby. The Kajuru-Maltby pairing earned All-America recognition at the 2025 Doubles Championships and captured the ITA Regionals Doubles title in 2025. Kajuru enters the season ranked No. 23 in singles and No. 3 in doubles with Maltby.
As the Tar Heels look to defend their conference crown and compete for a national title, this schedule emphasizes high-level non-conference tests and a robust ACC slate that should test depth and resilience all spring long.
| Date | Event | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 11 | vs Campbell | Chapel Hill, NC | Season opener, 1 p.m. |
| Jan 19 | vs Virginia | Chapel Hill, NC | home ACC clash |
| Jan 30 | vs NC State | Cary, NC | ITA Kick-Off lead-in |
| Feb 6-9 | ITA National Team Indoor Championship | On the road | national indoor event |
| Feb 17 | vs Elon | Chapel Hill, NC | Non-conference |
| Feb 20 | vs Syracuse | Chapel Hill, NC | ACC opener |
| Apr 14 | ACC Championship | Cary, NC | Defend title sweep to advance |
| May 1 | NCAA postseason begins | TBD | Road to Final Four |
two standout players anchor the squad this season. Brantmeier, who claimed the 2025 NCAA singles crown, returns as a cornerstone for UNC, complemented by kajuru, a graduate transfer who has already shown immediate impact in doubles with Maltby. Kajuru and Maltby teamed to earn All-America honors at the 2025 Doubles Championships and claimed the 2025 ITA Regionals singles title while also prevailing in the doubles regional championship. Their pairing currently holds a national ranking of No. 3 in doubles and No. 23 in singles heading into the spring.
The Tar Heels enter 2026 aiming to repeat as ACC champions and make a deep NCAA run, leveraging Brantmeier’s leadership and Kajuru’s high-level experience to navigate a rigorous schedule and maximize their postseason opportunities.
evergreen insights
Why this schedule matters long-term: By mixing strong non-conference opponents with a demanding ACC slate, UNC tests its depth early and builds a resume for NCAA seeding. The presence of a national champion and a proven transfer adds seasoning that could help UNC contend for multiple titles this season, beyond just the conference crown.
reader engagement
Which early-season showdown excites you most-the Georgia clash or the NC State rematch? Do you think Brantmeier’s championship pedigree will elevate the Tar Heels to another Final Four run?
Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for updates as UNC embarks on a pivotal spring campaign.
– Teh first step toward a second national championship. UNC’s historic 2024 regional performance (5‑0 record) positions the Tar Heels as a top‑four seed in the region.
2026 Spring Schedule Overview
the UNC women’s Tennis team released its full 2026 spring slate on December 10, 2025. As defending ACC champions,the Tar heels will compete in 12 dual matches,three ACC tournament events,and two NCAA regional qualifiers.All matches are set to begin the first week of March and run through the final regional in early May.
| Date (2026) | Opponent | Location | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| mar 3 | Virginia Tech | Durham, NC | ACC Dual |
| Mar 7 | Duke | Durham, NC | ACC Dual |
| Mar 10 | Georgia Tech | Atlanta, GA | ACC Dual |
| Mar 14 | Miami (FL) | Miami, FL | ACC Dual |
| Mar 18 | Clemson | Durham, NC | ACC Dual |
| Mar 22 | Notre Dame | South bend, IN | Non‑conference Dual |
| Mar 27 | Louisville | Durham, NC | ACC Dual |
| Apr 1 | NC State | Raleigh, NC | ACC Dual |
| Apr 5 | Boston College | Durham, NC | ACC Dual |
| Apr 9 – Apr 12 | ACC Spring Tournament | Charlotte, NC | Tournament |
| Apr 16 – Apr 19 | ACC Invitational | tampa, FL | Tournament |
| Apr 24 – May 1 | NCAA Regional Qualifier | Knoxville, TN | NCAA Regional |
| May 5 – May 8 | NCAA Championship (if qualified) | Stanford, CA | National Championship |
*non‑conference matches are scheduled to sharpen the lineup ahead of ACC play.
Key matchups and Tournament Highlights
- ACC Spring Tournament (Charlotte, NC) – Features top‑ranked programs such as Florida State and Virginia. UNC will need at least a 3‑2 win in the round‑robin to secure the tournament title and boost its NCAA seeding.
- ACC Invitational (Tampa,FL) – A double‑elimination format that tests depth. The heat and humidity in Tampa historically favor teams with strong conditioning; UNC’s preseason fitness program is designed to handle these conditions.
- NCAA Regional (Knoxville, TN) – The first step toward a second national championship. UNC’s historic 2024 regional performance (5‑0 record) positions the Tar Heels as a top‑four seed in the region.
Roster Highlights & Player Spotlights
- Olivia “Liv” Ramirez (Senior, #1 Singles) – 2024 ACC player of the Year; 7‑1 record in singles this season; double‑handed backhand.
- Maya Patel (Junior, #2 Singles/Doubles) – 2025 ITA All‑American; renowned for aggressive baseline play and strong net coverage.
- Sofia Chen (Sophomore, #3 Singles) – Freshman breakout star; posted a 6‑2 record in 2025, excellent on clay.
- Katherine “Kat” Owens (Senior, #1 Doubles) – Led the doubles pair to a 10‑0 ACC record last year; serves with a 130 mph flat serve.
Depth: The Tar Heels feature nine players with national rankings, giving Coach Brian Baker flexibility to rotate lineups and keep players fresh throughout the grueling spring schedule.
Coaching Strategy & Tactical Adjustments
- Aggressive Serve‑and‑Volley – Coach Baker emphasizes a forward‑pressing style on faster surfaces (e.g., the ACC Spring tournament’s hard courts).
- Clay‑Specific Drills – Early March practice sessions in Durham’s outdoor clay courts prepare the squad for potential rain‑delayed matches and the upcoming ACC Invitational, which includes a clay component.
- Mental Resilience training – Partnering with UNC’s Sports Psychology department, the team completes weekly visualization and pressure‑simulation exercises, a practice credited with the 2024 ACC championship comeback against Louisville.
Path to a Second NCAA Title
- Secure ACC Regular‑Season Crown – Winning at least nine of the twelve dual matches guarantees top seeding in the ACC Tournament.
- Dominate ACC Tournament – A flawless 4‑0 run provides automatic NCAA regional qualification and boosts the national ranking.
- Maintain Health & Depth – Rotation of singles and doubles players reduces injury risk during the back‑to‑back tournament weeks in April.
- Peak at Regionals – Target a 4‑0 record in Knoxville to earn a top‑two national seed, ensuring a first‑round bye at the NCAA Championship.
- Execute under Pressure – Leverage the team’s proven clutch performance-highlighted by the 2024 championship tie‑break win over Stanford-to navigate the high‑stakes environment of the national finals.
Travel & Logistics Overview
- Transportation: The team will travel via chartered bus for all domestic trips (Duke, Georgia Tech, ACC Invitational, NCAA Regional).
- Accommodations: Partner hotel chain “Comfort Suites” secures team rooms close to each venue, with designated study lounges for athletes.
- Meal Planning: UNC’s nutrition staff coordinates high‑protein meals and recovery smoothies; a sample menu for tournament weeks includes grilled salmon, quinoa bowls, and electrolyte‑rich fruit blends.
Fan Engagement & Ticket Data
- Season Ticket Packages: Available through the UNC Athletic Store; early‑bird pricing ends on December 31, 2025. Packages include a 2026 spring match pass, exclusive meet‑and‑greet events, and a limited‑edition “tar Heel Tennis” tote bag.
- Live Streaming: All dual matches will be broadcast on the ACC Network (online) with a free “UNC Women’s Tennis” streaming portal for alumni and out‑of‑state supporters.
- Social Media: Follow @UNCWomenTennis on Instagram and Twitter for real‑time scores,behind‑the‑scenes content,and player takeovers. Hashtags to watch: #UNCWomenTennis, #TarHeelTennis, #ACCChampions.
Practical Tips for Supporting the Team
- Game‑Day Checklist
- Arrive 30 minutes early for warm‑up previews.
- Wear UNC green/white apparel to boost home‑court energy.
- Bring reusable water bottles-stadium refill stations are available.
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Scoreboard Operators – Open to student volunteers on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
- Fan Zone Assistants – Help organize pre‑match activities, including racquet‑swing clinics for youth.
- Community Initiatives
- The team will host a “Tennis for Teens” clinic on April 8 in Charlotte, featuring head coach Brian Baker and senior captain Olivia Ramirez. Registration opens March 15, 2026, via the UNC Athletics website.
Performance Metrics to Watch
- Singles Win Percentage – Target > 75 % across the season.
- Doubles Pairing Success Rate – Aim for a minimum 8‑2 record in ACC play.
- Service Aces per Match – Goal of ≥ 12 aces per dual meet, driven by Kat Owens’ powerful serve.
- Break Point Conversion – Increase conversion from 35 % (2025) to 45 % in 2026 through enhanced return drills.
tracking these metrics weekly will provide real‑time insight into the Tar Heels’ championship trajectory.
