Top-15 Showdown: No. 3 UNC Women’s Tennis Set to Host No. 14 Virginia in Early-Season Test
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - It’s still early in the season, but Monday afternoon’s clash between No. 3 North Carolina and No.
14 Virginia already carries the weight of a postseason matchup. Two ACC powerhouses, both undefeated at 3-0, will square off at the Chewning Tennis Center in what promises to be a high-stakes measuring stick for both squads.
This isn’t just any top-15 battle - it’s a rivalry steeped in recent history. These two programs met three times last season, with Virginia taking two of the three.
But when it mattered most, UNC delivered. The Tar Heels swept the Cavaliers 4-0 in the ACC Championship match to secure their second straight conference title.
That win also extended Carolina’s edge in the recent series - they’ve taken seven of the last ten meetings.
Kalbas Hits 800 Wins as UNC Keeps Rolling
Saturday’s win over Appalachian State wasn’t just another notch in the win column - it was a milestone moment. Head coach Brian Kalbas reached 800 career victories, becoming just the third coach in NCAA women’s tennis history to hit that mark. Already the winningest active coach in the sport, Kalbas continues to build on a legacy that’s firmly cemented in the record books.
Fresh Faces, Familiar Dominance
Freshman Anna Frey is wasting no time making her presence known. She’s opened her collegiate career with a 3-0 mark in singles and is 1-0 in doubles alongside sophomore Tatum Evans. That’s the kind of early-season confidence that bodes well for a deep lineup like Carolina’s.
Meanwhile, Oby Kajuru, ranked No. 23 nationally, made a statement of her own this weekend, taking down No. 5 Savannah Dada-Mascoll from App State in singles play. That’s the kind of ranked win that can set the tone for a breakout spring.
Doubles Depth Runs Deep
Doubles has long been a strength for the Tar Heels, and this year looks no different. Two pairs - Reese Brantmeier/Elizabeth Hamilton and Kajuru/Mabinty Maltby - are off to 2-0 starts this season. Both tandems earned All-America honors in the fall after advancing to the NCAA Individual Championships quarterfinals, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
Carolina boasts serious doubles depth, with four pairings featured in the ITA national rankings. Kajuru/Maltby lead the way at No. 3, followed by Brantmeier/Hamilton (No.
11), Rennard/Boyce (No. 42), and Evans/Rabman (No. 49).
That kind of firepower gives UNC flexibility and matchup advantages against just about anyone.
Brantmeier Leads the Charge
Reese Brantmeier isn’t just the top-ranked singles player in the country - she’s the reigning NCAA Singles National Champion and a walking highlight reel. The senior continues to rack up accolades, adding another All-America honor this fall to make it a perfect eight-for-eight in her career. Her presence at the top of the lineup gives UNC a rock-solid foundation and a legitimate shot at repeating as national champs.
And she’s not alone. The Tar Heels have five players ranked in the ITA singles poll: Brantmeier (No.
1), Kajuru (No. 23), Evans (No.
35), Carson Tanguilig Rabman (No. 51), and Hamilton (No. 69).
That kind of top-to-bottom talent is what separates contenders from pretenders.
What’s at Stake
Monday’s match is more than just a battle between two undefeated teams - it’s an early-season litmus test, a chance to pick up a ranked win, and a preview of what could come down the road in ACC and NCAA tournament play. For UNC, it’s an opportunity to reinforce their No. 3 national ranking and send a message that they’re still the team to beat in the ACC.
First serve is set for 1 p.m. ET, and fans can follow along with live stats and streaming at GoHeels.com.