UNC Women’s Tennis Set to Open Outdoor Season Against Elon After Strong Indoor Run
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After a strong showing at the ITA Team Indoor National Championship, North Carolina women’s tennis is stepping back outside - and doing so with momentum. The Tar Heels open their outdoor season Tuesday afternoon at the Chewning Tennis Center, where they’ll host Elon at 4 p.m. Carolina enters the midweek matchup with a perfect 19-0 all-time record against the Phoenix, including a 7-0 sweep in their most recent meeting back in 2024.
The Tar Heels are coming off a 2-1 finish at the ITA Indoor Nationals, highlighted by a top-15 win over No. 6 Oklahoma in the consolation round - a gritty bounce-back after a tough semifinal loss. That win added to an already impressive resume this season, with Carolina now boasting four top-15 victories before even hitting the outdoor courts.
Tatum Evans, Reese Brantmeier Leading the Charge
Junior Tatum Evans is riding high after being named ACC Player of the Week for the first time in her career. She went a perfect 3-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles during the ITA Indoor Championship, including a ranked singles win that helped anchor UNC’s strong finish. Her all-around performance was a key piece in Carolina’s ability to reset and respond after falling short of the title.
Meanwhile, senior Reese Brantmeier continues to cement her status as one of the top players in college tennis. She earned back-to-back ACC Player of the Week honors earlier this month, including a clutch weekend where she clinched both team wins over No.
9 NC State and No. 1 Georgia - a pair of statement victories that showcased her poise under pressure.
Brantmeier went 2-0 in singles and 1-1 in doubles that weekend, and her ability to rise in big moments has been a defining trait of her Tar Heel career.
Brantmeier and doubles partner Alanis Hamilton were also recognized as the ACC Doubles Team of the Week in late January after defeating ranked duos from Virginia and Charlotte. That pairing has started the season 5-1 and continues to be one of Carolina’s most dependable tandems.
Star Power Across the Lineup
Carolina’s depth is a big reason the team remains ranked No. 3 in the ITA Team Rankings for the fourth straight week. The Tar Heels have six players in the ITA Singles Rankings - a staggering show of talent up and down the lineup. Brantmeier leads the way at No. 1, followed by Oby Kajuru (7), Tatum Evans (21), Abbey Frey (51), Alanis Hamilton (71), and Carson Tanguilig Rabman (90).
In doubles, UNC is equally stacked. Four pairs are currently ranked: Kajuru and Abbey Maltby at No.
5, Brantmeier and Hamilton at No. 6, Ellie Rennard and Kacie Boyce at No. 52, and Evans and Rabman at No.
- That kind of depth gives head coach Brian Kalbas plenty of flexibility when constructing lineups - and a lot of confidence heading into tight matches.
Kajuru, a graduate transfer, has been another standout early in the season. She earned her first ACC Player of the Week honor on January 20 after defeating No.
5 Savannah Dada-Mascoll of App State - the first ranked singles win for any Tar Heel this season. That win also helped Carolina secure its first ranked team victory of 2026, a 6-1 result over No.
14 Virginia.
Milestones and Momentum
Coach Brian Kalbas continues to add to his legendary résumé. With the team’s win over App State, Kalbas reached the 800-win milestone - becoming just the third coach in NCAA tennis history to hit that number. He remains the winningest active coach in the sport and continues to guide one of the most consistent programs in the country.
The accolades don’t stop there. In the fall, both Brantmeier/Hamilton and Kajuru/Maltby earned All-America honors after reaching the quarterfinals at the NCAA Individual Championships. Brantmeier, who won the 2025 NCAA Singles National Championship, entered the spring season ranked No. 1 in singles and has now earned All-America honors in all eight possible categories during her career - a rare and elite accomplishment.
What’s Next
Tuesday’s matchup against Elon marks the start of a new chapter in the season, as the Tar Heels transition from the controlled environment of indoor play to the unpredictability of outdoor courts. With a 6-0 home record already in hand and a roster stacked with top-tier talent, UNC looks poised to keep the momentum rolling.
Elon may be a familiar opponent, but every match is a chance to sharpen the edges - and Carolina has its sights set on more than just regular-season wins. With national title aspirations and a roster built for the long haul, the outdoor season starts now - and the Tar Heels are ready.