TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (January 15, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's tennis team is set to begin the 2026 championship season Friday, Jan. 16 at Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
The Lions open the campaign with a solid test against competition from the SEC. The Lions enter 2026 with expectations to build on their success from Spring 2025.
The match will take place at the Alabama Tennis Stadium with first serve scheduled at 10 a.m. The match will have live stats available through StatBroadcast and live-streaming available courtesy of Alabama.
Full results and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com following the action, but fans can also follow along on the UNA Tennis social media pages.
DUAL INFO
Matchup: North Alabama at Alabama
Date: Friday, January 16
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Venue: Alabama Tennis Stadium
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: Click Here
Social Media: @UNATennis
NOTES
SPRING 2025 RECAP: North Alabama had a program-record year, posting a 19-6 overall record with a 7-2 record in Atlantic Sun Conference play. UNA won two ASUN Championship Tournament matches against Austin Peay and North Florida, advancing to play top-seeded Stetson in the tournament final. Former standout Stanislava Bobrovnikova and senior Eeva Ristola were named the ASUN's Doubles Pair of the Year, and head coach Olaya Garrido-Rivas was named the ASUN's Coach of the Year – the first in the Division I era. The season culminated with a UTR Sports NIT Championship Tournament appearance. The Lions secured their first-ever tournament victory with a triumph over Middle Tennessee in the quarterfinal round before falling to No. 48 Charlotte in the semifinals.
RECOGNITION FOR RISTOLA: Ristola was named to the Preseason All-ASUN team by the conference on Jan. 6. The senior was instrumental in UNA's successful 2025 campaign and looks to replicate the success this season. The Kotka, Finland native won 33 matches in Spring 2025 with 19 doubles and 14 singles victories. The doubles extraordinaire won an additional 17 matches in ASUN contests with nine singles and eight doubles triumphs.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: North Alabama begins the year vs. an SEC opponent for the third time in four seasons. The Lions return five for 2026, while also bringing in two freshmen and one transfer. Ristola and fellow senior Senem Ocallook to lead UNA along with juniors Emma Ansorge, Ada Karabacak and Mathilde Delaney. Junior transfer Louise Booker looks to make an impact in her first UNA season, bringing 43 career wins to the Lions from UNC Asheville. Freshmen Farah Asaad and Sammie Schouten are set for their first collegiate campaign. North Alabama returns 65 singles victories from Spring 2025 and 51 doubles wins.
SCOUTING ALABAMA: The Crimson Tide went 13-14 in Spring 2025. Alabama won four SEC contests with wins over Arkansas, Ole Miss, Missouri and Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide ended the season with an SEC Tournament first-round appearance against Florida. The team won singles matches at an 82-70 rate (53.9 percent) and doubles at a 33-37 rate (47.1 percent). Alabama returns three players from the 2025 team with their top returner coming in Klara Milicevic (15-15 singles record/11-10 doubles record). The Crimson Tide are led by Jonatan Berhane.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama looks for its first all-time victory in the second all-time meeting against Alabama.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
