Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, January 16
Richmond, Va
9 a.m. CT
Northwestern
at
VCU
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Women's Tennis to Open Season on the East Coast
1/15/2026 3:02:00 PM | Women's Tennis
RICHMOND, Va. - Northwestern women's tennis is set to open its 2026 dual season this weekend in Richmond, Va., where the 'Cats (0-0) will take on a trio of opponents in three days of action. First up, Northwestern takes on VCU (0-0) on Friday at 9 a.m. CT, followed by a neutral-site matchup against Temple (0-0) on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT and a 12:30 p.m. CT match at Richmond (0-1) on Sunday.
Last weekend, the team wrapped up tournament play at the Wildcat Duals in Evanston, where they hosted Northern Illinois and DePaul for a weekend of singles and doubles action. The 'Cats finished with a perfect 14-0 record in singles play while playing to an 18-5 record in doubles matches. Neena Feldman finished the weekend with a flawless 7-0 combined record, recording six doubles wins with a variety of partners.
In addition to Feldman and Head Coach Claire Pollard's other returners, first-year Margot Phanthala is poised to make an impact at her first duals in purple. The Paris, France, native was named a Big Ten Player to Watch earlier this month, and enters 2026 ranked No. 39 nationally in singles play after a successful first fall of collegiate play. Also in the rankings heading into the season is the doubles duo of Mika Dagan Fruchtman and Feldman, who were tabbed the No. 48 duo in the country by the ITA.
Friday's dual is the season opener for both Northwestern and VCU, who will be meeting for the first time. The Rams are coming off a 14-11 season and a 2025 Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship that punched their ticket to the NCAA Championships, where they fell to No. 5 UNC in the first round.
Temple will also be playing its season opener when the Owls take on the 'Cats on Saturday. Following a 7-13 season in 2025, Temple will look to bounce back in 2026, beginning with the first ever meeting with Northwestern.
Finally, the 'Cats will take on Richmond for the first time ever on Sunday following the Spiders' season-opening loss to No. 14 Virginia on Tuesday evening. Richmond finished 2025 as the runners-up in the Atlantic 10 after compiling a 16-7 overall record.
After they finish their weekend slate, the 'Cats will return home to ready for their home opener, which is set for 10 a.m. CT on Sunday, January 25, against UIC.
Last weekend, the team wrapped up tournament play at the Wildcat Duals in Evanston, where they hosted Northern Illinois and DePaul for a weekend of singles and doubles action. The 'Cats finished with a perfect 14-0 record in singles play while playing to an 18-5 record in doubles matches. Neena Feldman finished the weekend with a flawless 7-0 combined record, recording six doubles wins with a variety of partners.
In addition to Feldman and Head Coach Claire Pollard's other returners, first-year Margot Phanthala is poised to make an impact at her first duals in purple. The Paris, France, native was named a Big Ten Player to Watch earlier this month, and enters 2026 ranked No. 39 nationally in singles play after a successful first fall of collegiate play. Also in the rankings heading into the season is the doubles duo of Mika Dagan Fruchtman and Feldman, who were tabbed the No. 48 duo in the country by the ITA.
Friday's dual is the season opener for both Northwestern and VCU, who will be meeting for the first time. The Rams are coming off a 14-11 season and a 2025 Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship that punched their ticket to the NCAA Championships, where they fell to No. 5 UNC in the first round.
Temple will also be playing its season opener when the Owls take on the 'Cats on Saturday. Following a 7-13 season in 2025, Temple will look to bounce back in 2026, beginning with the first ever meeting with Northwestern.
Finally, the 'Cats will take on Richmond for the first time ever on Sunday following the Spiders' season-opening loss to No. 14 Virginia on Tuesday evening. Richmond finished 2025 as the runners-up in the Atlantic 10 after compiling a 16-7 overall record.
After they finish their weekend slate, the 'Cats will return home to ready for their home opener, which is set for 10 a.m. CT on Sunday, January 25, against UIC.
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