No. 3 UNC Women’s Tennis Set to Host Gardner-Webb, App State in Saturday Doubleheader
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The No. 3-ranked North Carolina women’s tennis team is back in action this Saturday with a home doubleheader at the Chewning Tennis Center, welcoming Gardner-Webb in the morning and Appalachian State in the afternoon. First serve against the Runnin’ Bulldogs is scheduled for 10 a.m., with the matchup against the Mountaineers to follow later in the day.
The Tar Heels are coming off a commanding 7-0 sweep of Campbell to open the 2026 season, and they’re looking to keep that momentum rolling. Saturday’s twin bill offers a chance for UNC to sharpen its depth and build rhythm early in the year - and history suggests they’re in a strong position to do just that.
Familiar Foes, Favorable History
The morning matchup against Gardner-Webb marks just the third all-time meeting between the programs. UNC holds a 2-0 series lead, including a clean 7-0 win in their last meeting in 2025. While Gardner-Webb will look to challenge the Tar Heels with energy and grit, Carolina’s talent and experience give them a clear edge.
Later in the day, the Tar Heels will face Appalachian State for the ninth time in program history. UNC has never dropped a match to the Mountaineers, holding a perfect 8-0 record. It’s been a couple of years since their last meeting in 2023, but the Tar Heels have consistently controlled this in-state series.
Star Power and Depth Across the Board
This year’s Carolina squad is as loaded as it is accomplished. At the top of the lineup is Reese Brantmeier, who captured the 2025 NCAA Singles National Championship and enters the spring ranked No. 1 in the ITA singles rankings. Brantmeier also earned All-America honors in singles again this fall, making her a perfect eight-for-eight in All-America selections throughout her career - a rare feat that speaks to her consistency and dominance.
She’s not alone. The Tar Heels boast five players in the ITA singles rankings: Brantmeier (1), Oby Kajuru (23), Abbey Evans (35), Carson Tanguilig Rabman (51), and Alanis Hamilton (69). That kind of depth makes Carolina a nightmare matchup for most teams, with no easy outs anywhere in the lineup.
In doubles, UNC is just as dangerous. Four pairings made the ITA rankings, led by Kajuru and Susanna Maltby at No. 3, and Brantmeier and Hamilton at No.
- Both duos earned All-America honors this fall after reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA Individual Championships.
The team’s doubles point - often a tone-setter in collegiate tennis - is in very good hands.
New Faces Making an Early Impact
January brought some fresh talent into the fold, with Anna Frey and Maddy Zampardo joining the team. Frey wasted no time making her mark, picking up her first career win during the season-opening sweep of Campbell. With a roster this deep, the ability to integrate new players and still dominate speaks volumes about the program’s culture and coaching.
Kalbas’ Legacy Continues to Grow
At the helm is head coach Brian Kalbas, a legend in the college tennis world. Kalbas leads all active coaches in career wins and ranks third all-time in NCAA history with a 798-196 record. With the Tar Heels entering the season ranked No. 3 in the ITA Preseason Poll, he has another national contender on his hands.
What’s Next
Saturday’s doubleheader offers UNC a valuable opportunity to keep building early-season momentum, test combinations, and give younger players match experience - all while defending their home court. With live stats and streaming available at goheels.com, fans will have a front-row seat as the Tar Heels continue their push toward another deep postseason run.
For now, it’s two matches, one day, and a chance for Carolina to remind everyone why they’re one of the premier programs in college tennis.