Rutgers Tennis Rolls Through Doubleheader, Showing Depth, Grit, and Team Unity
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The Rutgers women’s tennis team is off to a strong start in 2026, and Friday’s doubleheader sweep was a clear sign that this group is starting to find its rhythm. The Scarlet Knights improved to 3-1 on the season with a pair of gritty wins-first rallying past Delaware at home, then dominating Seton Hall on the road.
But this wasn’t just about the scorelines. It was about the energy, the chemistry, and a team that’s clearly buying into something bigger.
“This season is about playing for something bigger than ourselves,” senior Mai Nguyen said. “We're playing for each other.
I could feel that my teammates and I were all fighting and cheering for each other today. That energy helps us all to compete and it all came together today."
Let’s break down how it all unfolded.
Rutgers vs. Delaware: A Gritty Comeback
Things didn’t start perfectly against Delaware. Rutgers dropped the doubles point early, but even in that, there was a silver lining.
The No. 64-ranked duo of Mai Nguyen and Zuzanna Frankowska continued their dominant run at the top spot, cruising to a 6-1 win to improve to 3-0 on the season. That kind of consistency at the top of the doubles lineup is a major asset-especially when you're trying to build momentum early in matches.
In singles play, Rutgers flipped the script.
Frankowska and Savannah Cohen wasted no time, each grabbing straight-set wins on courts two and six, respectively. Those quick victories gave Rutgers a 2-1 lead and shifted the pressure back onto Delaware.
Zeynep Ilker followed with a composed performance at the No. 4 spot, and Nguyen stepped up to clinch the match with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 win at the top of the lineup. That’s the kind of veteran leadership that wins matches-and sets the tone for the rest of the season.
Rutgers vs. Seton Hall: Depth on Full Display
If the Delaware match was about resilience, the Seton Hall match was about dominance.
Rutgers came out firing in doubles, sweeping all three courts. The freshman pairing of Stella Schmitz and Savannah Cohen impressed on court three, while Nguyen and Frankowska continued their unbeaten run, notching their fourth win of the season together. That kind of early chemistry between a senior and a sophomore is a big reason Rutgers has been able to start the year strong.
In singles, Rutgers kept their foot on the gas.
Cohen, showing maturity beyond her years, was the only Scarlet Knight to notch two singles wins on the day-capping it off with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 performance against Seton Hall’s Ellie Coe. That’s the kind of win that turns heads, especially from a rookie.
Karina Jumazhanova grabbed her first singles win of the season with a steady 6-3, 6-4 effort on court two, and Schmitz followed with a dominant 6-3, 6-0 victory on court three. All told, Rutgers took singles wins at the No. 2, 3, and 5 positions to seal the deal.
Several other matches were unfinished but showed promise, including Frankowska leading 6-3, 5-3 on court one and Naomi Karki battling back from a set down to take a 4-1 lead in the second.
What It All Means
This doubleheader was more than just two wins-it was a showcase of Rutgers’ depth, chemistry, and competitive fire. From seasoned veterans like Nguyen and Frankowska anchoring the lineup, to freshmen like Cohen and Schmitz stepping in and delivering right away, this team is showing it has the pieces to make noise this season.
It’s early, but the signs are there. The Scarlet Knights are not just winning-they’re growing, building trust, and playing for each other. And that’s a formula that wins in February… and beyond.