Sunday, January 18
Starkville
12 p.m.
Mississippi State
vs
UAB
State Opens Spring Slate in Starkville
January 16, 2026 | Women's Tennis
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State women's tennis opens the 2026 spring season at home with a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday, January 18 at the Rula Tennis Pavilion.
The Bulldogs will begin the day against UAB at 12 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. matchup with Samford.
State enters the season looking to extend its 14-year winning streak in season openers and owns a 38–17 all-time record in opening matches.
Mississippi State has enjoyed strong success in non-conference play under head coach Chris Hooshyar, posting a 20–3 mark across his first two seasons. The Bulldogs went a perfect 10–0 in non-conference action during the 2025 campaign, including wins over both UAB and Samford in Starkville.
The Bulldogs and Blazers will meet for the 21st time, with State holding the advantage after earning a 4–1 victory in last season's matchup. Returning Bulldogs Chiara Di Genova and Gianna Oboniye each secured singles wins, while Di Genova also contributed a doubles victory.
Mississippi State remains unbeaten against Samford, owning an 11–0 series record, including seven wins in Starkville. In last season's meeting, State earned a 4–0 shutout as the doubles teams of Athina Pitta/Oboniye and Alessia Tagliente/Di Genova clinched the opening point. Carolina Troiano and Tagliente followed with singles victories to seal the match.
State returns six members from last season's roster that finished 10–16 overall and welcomes two freshmen, Thessy Ntondele Zinga and Mia Robinson, along with transfers Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz and Noemie Oliveras.
UAB will make its 2026 debut Friday, Jan. 16, at Auburn after finishing 12–9 last season. Samford opens its dual-match slate Sunday in Starkville after posting a 9–14 record during the 2025 spring season.
For more information on the Bulldog women's tennis program, visit HailState.com or follow "HailStateWT" on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
The Bulldogs will begin the day against UAB at 12 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. matchup with Samford.
State enters the season looking to extend its 14-year winning streak in season openers and owns a 38–17 all-time record in opening matches.
Mississippi State has enjoyed strong success in non-conference play under head coach Chris Hooshyar, posting a 20–3 mark across his first two seasons. The Bulldogs went a perfect 10–0 in non-conference action during the 2025 campaign, including wins over both UAB and Samford in Starkville.
The Bulldogs and Blazers will meet for the 21st time, with State holding the advantage after earning a 4–1 victory in last season's matchup. Returning Bulldogs Chiara Di Genova and Gianna Oboniye each secured singles wins, while Di Genova also contributed a doubles victory.
Mississippi State remains unbeaten against Samford, owning an 11–0 series record, including seven wins in Starkville. In last season's meeting, State earned a 4–0 shutout as the doubles teams of Athina Pitta/Oboniye and Alessia Tagliente/Di Genova clinched the opening point. Carolina Troiano and Tagliente followed with singles victories to seal the match.
State returns six members from last season's roster that finished 10–16 overall and welcomes two freshmen, Thessy Ntondele Zinga and Mia Robinson, along with transfers Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz and Noemie Oliveras.
UAB will make its 2026 debut Friday, Jan. 16, at Auburn after finishing 12–9 last season. Samford opens its dual-match slate Sunday in Starkville after posting a 9–14 record during the 2025 spring season.
For more information on the Bulldog women's tennis program, visit HailState.com or follow "HailStateWT" on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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