UNC Women’s Tennis Unveils 2026 Spring Schedule with Eyes on Another Deep Postseason Run
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After back-to-back ACC titles and a Final Four appearance last season, the North Carolina women’s tennis team is gearing up for another high-stakes spring. Head coach Brian Kalbas and the Tar Heels released their 2026 spring schedule, and it’s clear from the jump: this group isn’t easing into anything.
The campaign kicks off January 11 with a home opener against Campbell, the first of a five-match home stretch that will test depth, chemistry, and early-season form. Gardner-Webb and Appalachian State follow on the weekend, setting the table for a marquee ACC matchup when Virginia comes to town on January 19. That one’s circled on the calendar - a chance to lay down an early conference marker against a familiar foe.
Then comes the ITA Kick-Off Weekend, where UNC will host three teams in a high-intensity mini-tournament format. It’s the kind of early challenge that sharpens a team’s edge before the grind of ACC play. Just days later, the Tar Heels head to Cary for a Jan. 30 showdown with NC State - a short trip geographically, but a big one in terms of competitive stakes.
But the real non-conference headline? Georgia.
The defending national champions roll into Chapel Hill in early February for what might be the most anticipated regular season match on the schedule. These two split their meetings last season - UNC edged out a 4-3 win at home before falling 4-0 to the Bulldogs in the national semifinals.
Expect intensity, strategy, and a postseason atmosphere in February.
From there, the Tar Heels head to Seattle for the ITA National Team Indoor Championship (Feb. 6-9), one of the sport’s premier midseason tests. It’s a proving ground for title contenders, and UNC will be looking to make a statement.
Before diving back into ACC play, Carolina hosts Elon on February 17, a final tune-up before the conference gauntlet begins.
The ACC schedule officially kicks off February 20 with Syracuse visiting the Chewning Tennis Center. From there, the Tar Heels will host Boston College, Notre Dame, Louisville, Clemson, and Georgia Tech - a home-heavy stretch that could give UNC a strong foundation in the standings.
March 1 marks their first road trip of ACC play, heading to Dallas to face SMU. It’s a non-conference matchup that offers a different kind of challenge - new surroundings, new energy, and a chance to test their road resilience.
The regular season wraps with a Florida swing in April, taking on Miami and Florida State on the 10th and 12th. Those late-season road tests could carry major seeding implications heading into the postseason.
Then it’s back to Cary for the ACC Championship, beginning April 14. The Tar Heels are the two-time defending champs, having swept Virginia 4-0 in last year’s final. This year, they’ll be aiming to three-peat - a feat that would solidify their dominance in one of the toughest conferences in college tennis.
But the real prize lies beyond. The NCAA Tournament begins May 1, and UNC has its sights set on returning to the Final Four - and maybe, just maybe, capturing that elusive second national title.
Star Power Returns: Brantmeier and Kajuru Lead the Charge
The Tar Heels aren’t just bringing back a strong schedule - they’re bringing back serious talent.
Reese Brantmeier, the reigning NCAA Singles National Champion and ACC Player of the Year, returns for her senior season with a résumé that’s already etched into program history. She earned All-America honors in both singles and doubles this fall, making her a perfect eight-for-eight in All-America selections over her career - a first for Carolina tennis. Her leadership and high-level experience will be crucial as UNC navigates a schedule packed with top-tier opponents.
Joining her is graduate transfer Oby Kajuru, who arrived from Oklahoma State and made an immediate impact. Since donning Carolina blue, Kajuru has racked up nine singles wins and paired with Susanna Maltby to go 11-2 in doubles.
The duo reached the quarterfinals at the 2025 NCAA Doubles Championships, earning All-America honors along the way. Kajuru also swept the ITA Carolina Regional titles in both singles and doubles this fall, showing she’s more than ready for the spotlight.
Kajuru enters the spring ranked No. 23 in singles and No. 3 in doubles alongside Maltby. With that kind of firepower at the top of the lineup, UNC has the potential to match up with anyone in the country.
The Road Ahead
This 2026 spring schedule is a blend of familiar rivalries and heavyweight showdowns, with plenty of opportunities for the Tar Heels to build momentum heading into May. The ACC is always a battle, and non-conference tilts like Georgia and the ITA National Indoors will test UNC’s mettle early and often.
But with Brantmeier anchoring the lineup, Kajuru adding elite-level depth, and a program culture built on winning, the Tar Heels have everything they need to make another deep postseason run. The path won’t be easy - it never is - but this team looks ready to chase history once again.