Gangelhoff releases spring 2026 schedule for seasoned women’s tennis team
With spring tennis just 11 days away, Head Coach Nate Gangelhoff announced the 2026 spring slate for the Eagles Women’s Tennis squad, poised to make another run at the NCAA regional.
VIDEO: Nate Gangelhoff Full Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – With spring tennis just 11 days away, Head Coach Nate Gangelhoff announced the 2026 spring slate for the Eagles Women's Tennis squad, poised to make another run at the NCAA regional.
"Super excited to get going with these girls. It's a really fun team. Going through a whole year last year and having it be my first now full year this upcoming season, I'm really excited for what these girls can do," said Gangelhoff.
If the fall was any indication of what is to come for women's tennis this season, it's going to be a thrilling spring for C-N. A great showing at the ITA Fall Southeast Regional included a doubles title from Kira Baacke and Maria del Mar Sarda Marti in the B-flight and promising play from the singles throughout the tournament.
"Now that we have fall under our belt, we have a pretty good starting off point of what we can do and what works really well," said Gangelhoff. "The girls have really big goals this year, and I'm excited to see all that come to fruition."
C-N looks to improve this season after a loss in the SAC Quarterfinal to Coker. They begin the journey back to the conference tournament with their opening match on February 7th against Cumberland (Ky.) in Harrogate.
Gangelhoff has curated a non-conference schedule at the beginning of the season with seven matches for the women. The first home matches for the Eagles will take place the weekend of February 13th when Montreat and King come to the Knoxville Racquet Club. The challenge begins before the conference schedule begins at the end of February, though. The Eagles will play host to Middle Georgia State, #24 Lee, and head to Dahlonega to face #3 Georgia in the span of five days.
"Middle Georgia has always been strong from my NAIA past. I know them pretty well, and that they're going to be a tough battle. So, I'm really excited for that one," Gangelhoff said. "North Georgia is obviously really good on all boards, and we're going to their place, so it's going to be a challenging day, but with tennis, you just never know what's going to happen."
Conference action begins February 28th for C-N when the Eagles travel to Hickory to face Lenoir-Rhyne. Last season, Carson-Newman took down the Bears 4-2 in Jefferson City in route to five straight conference wins. This season, the Eagles will have to get through #9 Catawba on March 4th to accomplish that feat again before they play their SAC home opener against UVA Wise on March 11th.
"I think our conference is very underrated. It's very strong. There's a lot of teams and players in our conference that shouldn't be taken for granted in any spot. So got to get the doubles point. I think no matter who you play, especially in our conference, doubles point always sets a good tone and a good starting off point for singles," said Gangelhoff.
The Eagles will also take a quick trip down to Rome, Georgia to play the University of Nebraska-Kearney on March 16th and follow that non-con battle with the 11E rivalry in Tusculum on the 18th.
#23 Wingate slates in on the 28th of March, but Gangelhoff highlights the SAC battle against LMU on April 9th as the match to watch. The Eagles will have home court advantage for both matches.
The Eagles' regular season wraps up on April 11th at home against Newberry before the SAC Tournament begins on April 16-18th in Sumter, South Carolina.
"The best way for us to do well at the end of the season is to play at our best. I've been telling our girls from the very beginning of the fall that that's what the best players do. They play at their best when their best is required," Gangelhoff said.
Catch the Eagles in action for the first time in 2026 on February 7th when they face Cumberland (Ky.) on the campus of Lincoln Memorial at 6 PM.
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