SEWANEE, TN. -  In a closely contested national matchup, the Wesleyan women's tennis team opened the 2025-26 season on the road at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Indoor National Championship, facing No. 2 University of Chicago in the opening round of the tournament. The 2026 National Championships are being held at host school Sewanee: The University of the South.

Returning to the national stage, the Cardinals took to the first match on Saturday with a familiar foe looking back. The Cardinals have met the Maroons several times in the post season, most notably for the 2024 National Championship.

The Cardinals jumped to an early lead, clearing two of the three doubles matches at No. 1 and No. 2. Facing Anika Paul and Oliwia Mikos, the senior pairing of Leila Epstein '26 and Sarah Youngberg '26 upset the Maroons as they ran six points in a row following a 4-0 hole to win 6-4. Sweeping the competition at No. 2, Lara Afolayanka '29 and Lane Durkin '27 finished 6-0 over Lily Zwaneh and Lauren Khoe.

Matched with Paul at No. 2 singles, Epstein was victorious through two sets with a 7-6, 6-3 win. Through set one, Epstein turned out five in a row to tie the match and ultimately pass Paul into set two where she held a steady lead throughout.

Settled at No. 4, Youngberg also picked up a singles victory over competitor Tina Kintiroglou. Youngberg finished set one with a 6-3 win before Kintiroglou tied the match up at one, forcing a tiebreaker. Youngberg allowed just one point in the final set, finishing 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

The Cardinals will face No. 4 Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, Feb. 28, in a consolation round of the tournament.