Baylor Women’s Tennis Set to Open 2026 Dual Season with Back-to-Back Matches
WACO, Texas - The Baylor women’s tennis team is back in action this weekend, kicking off its 2026 dual match season with a pair of home contests at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center. The Bears, ranked No. 25 in the nation, host Illinois on Saturday at 3 p.m., followed by a Sunday noon showdown with Tulane.
This marks the start of a new chapter for a Baylor squad looking to build on a 20-6 campaign from last season that ended with a tight first-round NCAA tournament loss to Boise State. While that ending still stings, there’s a lot to like about what this team is bringing into the new year.
Familiar Faces and Promising Newcomers
The Bears return four players from last year’s roster, and the mix of experience and fresh talent is already turning heads. One of the newcomers, freshman Mu-Jie Tzeng, enters the spring with a national singles ranking of No. 99-no small feat for a first-year player stepping into the collegiate spotlight.
But it’s the returning core that’s driving expectations. Third-year player Zuzanna Kubacha is ranked No. 57 in singles, while senior Na Dong leads the way at No. 40 after a strong fall showing.
Dong and Kubacha also bring momentum in doubles, checking in at No. 61 nationally after competing in both the singles and doubles draws at the NCAA Championships this past November. Another doubles pairing to watch: Dong and senior Kennedy Gibbs, who currently hold the No. 38 ranking.
Scouting the Opponents
Saturday’s opponent, Illinois, brings a solid challenge to open the season. The Fighting Illini boast the nation’s No. 60-ranked doubles team in Alice Xu and Tess Bucher.
Historically, Illinois leads the all-time series against Baylor 4-2, but the Bears have taken the last two meetings. That includes a 4-1 road win last season where Kubacha delivered a straight-sets victory on Court Three, and Dong clinched the match with a gritty three-set comeback on Court Four.
Sunday’s matchup with Tulane brings a different kind of intrigue. The all-time series between the Bears and Green Wave is dead even at 4-4, but the two programs haven’t faced off since 2005.
Tulane won that last meeting and the two before it, but prior to that, Baylor had rattled off four straight wins from 1993 to 1996. While Tulane doesn’t currently have any nationally ranked players, the history between these programs adds a layer of intensity to this early-season test.
Dong Leading the Charge
If there’s one name to circle heading into the weekend, it’s Na Dong. The senior was a force last season, leading the team with 27 singles wins-11 of them in Big 12 play-and going undefeated in conference matches. Her efforts earned her Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors and a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team in singles.
Dong didn’t slow down in the fall, either. She and Kubacha both qualified for the NCAA singles and doubles championships.
Dong made headlines by knocking off the No. 1 seed in the opening round of the singles draw before falling in the round of 32. In doubles, the pair couldn’t get past the first round, but their qualification alone speaks to their potential this spring.
What to Watch This Weekend
For Baylor, this weekend is about setting the tone. The Bears have the talent, the rankings, and the experience to make a deep run this season-but it all starts with how they handle business at home. Illinois brings a ranked doubles pair and recent history with Baylor, while Tulane offers a chance to reignite an old rivalry.
Fans can catch all the action live at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center, where admission is free for the entire season. For those following from afar, live results and streaming are available through Playsight.
The Bears have their eyes on a bigger prize this year, but it all begins with these first two matches. And with a lineup anchored by Dong, Kubacha, and a promising freshman in Tzeng, Baylor’s early-season outlook is as strong as it’s been in years.