UNC Women’s Tennis 2025-2026

3397char

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I wonder if NIL money has something to do with those SEC teams that got better in such a hurry.
I don't know for sure, but logically it does not take a giant budget to bring in say three ringers. Suddenly you have a top ten team when combined with some decent traditional recruiting to fill out your roster.
 

JCTarHeel

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Look at the rosters in women's tennis among the top teams: they are now bringing in international pro-level players and paying them enough where it is a great value proposition for their development.

College can offer housing, education, training, coaching, facilities, medical and transportation that pro players usually have to pay for on their own. Thus it only takes a modest NIL offer on top of that to find a few ringers willing to go this route. Because most mid-to-low tier pros lose money annually because of the expenses listed above. Especially when they are starting out. And with new NIL rules, they still have access to sponsorships, and can play on the pro circuit all summer and often the fall as well.

Just a couple of years ago there used to be maybe 2 or 3 college players with a UTR above 11. Now there are 15:


UNC did not get worse; the top SEC teams got better. Auburn has four players in the top 20. LSU has 3. 17 of the top 20 players are SEC, which used to be an afterthought in women's tennis.

Make It Rain Money GIF by Jasmine Star
 

3397char

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Details on Brantmeier's court win versus the NCAA:

The NCAA will pay her 10K, plus her portion of the class action, plus cover attourney's fees, plus she can apply for the prize money she had to forfeit in the past (likely well over $100K in total.)


This lawsuit will likely place tons more college-age pro tennis players into the NCAA as they no longer have to forfeit prize winnings.
 

Jriv23

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I feel sorry for Elizabeth Scotty. She won and could not get any of the prize money, but I am glad that RB won and she will get paid her money.
 
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3397char

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Heels win the doubles point, though #9 ranked Hamilton/Brantmeier struggled to create a lead: 3-3 when the doubles point concluded.
 
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3397char

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No #18 Kajuru in the singles lineup:
  1. #2 Brantmeier
  2. #42 Evans
  3. #116 Zampardo
  4. Hamilton
  5. Frey
  6. Rabman
 

3397char

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Brantmeier is not playing to her potential today. Her serve looks good, but most every return and rally are weak, centered shots just waiting for her 9.49 UTR opponent to make a mistake. Similar issues in her doubles match. Hope she heats up soon.

down 1-2 on serve in set 1, but when receiving she did not make a single winning shot: 2-8 on points and both points were unforced errors.
 

3397char

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The #1-#15 seeds all advance to regionals. UNC will be hosting Mich on Friday

 
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3397char

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The transfer portal officially opened today, will remain open for 30 days
 

UNCH

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Brian did podcast with cracked racquets.

He gets 10 scholarships.
Wife prefers Americans as does he.
Does not have the same mindset about recruiting as the rest.
Anna Frey has been impressive more than he thought
Wonders what is going on with the rest of American players that he doesn't have room for
Reese is apparently the smartest player off the court
 
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TAHeel

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One quick complaint. It's pretty remarkable that in this era of a lot of schools evaluating the feasibility of their tennis programs that the NCAA forces regionals to be Friday/Saturday and that so many of the Super Regionals are on a Friday before people's workdays are finished. Just a complete own goal that prevents folks from attending some of the most fun matches of the year.
 

3397char

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One quick complaint. It's pretty remarkable that in this era of a lot of schools evaluating the feasibility of their tennis programs that the NCAA forces regionals to be Friday/Saturday and that so many of the Super Regionals are on a Friday before people's workdays are finished. Just a complete own goal that prevents folks from attending some of the most fun matches of the year.
Yeah, it would be understandable if this is what it took to get a slot on ESPNU or something, but it is not even on streaming; in almost all cases it is just court cams and maybe some round-robin from Gruskin who does not care when the hours of operation are.

In that scenario, make it best for attendees.
 
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Jriv23

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I am in totally agreement with you guys. It is funny that our professional players get a ton of recognition, tv coverage, money, etc. and our media coverage for our college players is non-existence which is mind boggling and just sucks if I am being honest.
 
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3397char

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No. 12 Michigan at No. 5 North Carolina, 5 p.m. today

tickets for students are free, $5 bucks for anyone else

video http://bit.ly/48M0u67
stats http://bit.ly/4tjTbKs
ticket http://bit.ly/4dsPVaH
preview: https://goheels.com/news/2026/5/7/womens-tennis-womens-tennis-to-host-michigan-in-super-regional

Likely Lineups:
  1. No. 24 Lily Jones (U-M 10.76) vs No. 2 Reese Brantmeier (UNC UTR 11.22)
  2. No. 8 Piper Charney (U-M 10.78) vs No. 18 Oby Kajuru (UNC 10.96)
  3. No. 105 Reese Miller (U-M 10.72) vs No. 42 Tatum Evans (UNC 10.83)
  4. No. 120 Emily Sartz-Lunde (U-M 10.26) vs No. 116 Maddy Zampardo (UNC 10.46)
  5. UR Jessica Bernales (U-M 10.30) vs UR Anna Frey (UNC 10.49)
  6. UR Laura Rahnel (U-M 9.86) vs UR Thea Rabman (UNC 10.15) OR UR Alanis Hamilton (UNC 10.45)
Doubles Team ranks:
  1. #30 Mich vs #9 UNC (Brantmeier/Hamilton)
  2. #66 Mich vs #5 UNC (Kajuru/Maltby)
  3. ur Mich vs ur UNC (Evans/Zampardo)
 

JCTarHeel

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Looking a little better now with Frey bouncing back in the 3rd set to win her match.

Now we need at least one of Evans or Rabman to push their match out to a 3rd set.
 
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