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Jacob Thompson

5 Things To Know: Women's Tennis

| By: Jacob Ramos
IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine women's tennis is ready to start its 2026 dual match season on Jan. 16. Here's five things to know about the team ahead of its spring season opener against Houston in Irvine next Friday.
NEW FOES ARRIVE IN IRVINE FOR 2026
UCI will welcome five new programs to its courts in Irvine this season, with Houston, Bowling Green, Richmond, Colorado State and Nevada all serving as new opponents for the Anteaters. Nevada specifically figures to be a formidable opponent against UC Irvine, going 17-4 in dual match play in 2025 and facing off against a portion of the Anteater squad in the 2025 CSUN Fall Invitational in Northridge, Calif.
 
"It's exciting to welcome new teams onto our courts. I think minimizing our travel is best. We've had years where we've traveled a lot, and this year, we're getting to host a lot of home matches and some new teams. On one hand, it's very exciting, but on the other hand, we don't really have much of a scouting report," UCI Head Coach Elizabeth Ferris Smith said. "I think both sides are coming into these contests not knowing much about each other, and I know we're gonna give each team a great match, and just we're very fortunate to welcome so many teams in 2026."

TEAM CAPTAINS NAMED
Head Coach Elizabeth Ferris Smith named two Anteaters team captains of the 2025-26 iteration of UC Irvine women's tennis: seniors Haily Huynh and Carolyna Fowler. This will be Huynh's second season as an Anteater captain, while it is Fowler's first leading the squad. Huynh went 14-6 in singles for UC Irvine in 2025 dual matches, notching another six victories in doubles. Fowler is coming off of a 13-win doubles season with Yen Nhi Huynh in 2025, and picked up three singles wins against Big West opponents (Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Hawai'i) during the Anteaters' 2025 fall slate.

"I am incredibly grateful to be named captain for my senior season with the Eaters. I couldn't ask for a better co-captain or friend than Haily. To me, leadership means showing up every day with intention, heart, and consistency," senior Carolyna Fowler said. "I'm excited to grow with and support my teammates as we push each other to reach our full potential this season."

"I am so grateful to be chosen as captain for my senior season after leading last year. I am excited to be captain alongside my best friend [Fowler]. I have high hopes for this season. I am excited to finish my senior year strong and am grateful for this opportunity. I aim to lead this team with positivity and look forward to the upcoming months," senior Haily Huynh said.

RETURN OF THE ALL-BIG WEST DUO
Fowler and Y. Huynh return to the court for their second season of doubles play in 2025-26. The duo represented the Anteaters during Big West awards season, getting a nod for the All-Big West second team in doubles play. The pair went 13-5 in doubles play in 2024-25, and will seek a Big West Championship berth in 2026.

MEET THE FRESHMEN
UC Irvine will carry four freshmen in the 2025-26 season — Kara Chen, Mackenzie Lukin, Sayuri Parandian and Ani Vanetsyan. Parandian and Lukin both starred in singles play during the Anteater fall season, each going 4-1 to begin 2025. Chen picked up two wins of her own in singles play, as well as going 4-3 in doubles with Parandian. Vanetsyan has yet to play in 2025-26. 

"I'm just pleased with their maturity [as freshmen]. I think they're working hard, and they're listening and being coachable. I think part of that has to do with really strong leadership, and our upperclassmen really doing the things that they're supposed to do," Ferris Smith said. "Our freshmen have stepped up and worked hard and have won a lot of really good matches in the fall, so I think it's gonna be tough to figure out who's gonna be in the lineup. I think there's gonna be some rotations and changes."

TWO-MATCH HOMESTAND KICKS OFF DUAL MATCH SEASON
UCI opens its season hosting Houston on Jan. 16 and Nevada on Jan. 18. Houston is coming off of a 4-16 2025 dual match season where its season ended in the first round of the Big 12 Tennis Championship with a loss to TCU. Nevada enters the 2026 dual match season after a 17-4 2025 campaign that ended when Air Force defeated the Wolfpack in the Mountain West Championship quarterfinals. UC Irvine has never faced either opponent at home.
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