The University of Minnesota Duluth Tennis Team kicked off its 2026 season by splitting a doubleheader against Bemidji State and St. Scholastica Saturday at the Duluth Indoor Sports Center (DISC). The Bulldogs fell to the visiting Beavers, 3-4, in their opening match of the day, before bouncing back to defeat the Saints, 5-2, in the nightcap.

In the opening match against BSU, sophomore Sydney Friedrich picked up her first win of the year at No. 2 singles (6-2, 1-6, 11-9), and freshman Paige Heideman earned her first-career win with a 6-2, 6-0 victory at No. 5 singles. Sophomore Olivia Gorton tallied UMD's third point with a 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 victory at No. 6 singles. 

The Bulldogs dominated singles competition in the nightcap against the Saints by winning five of the six matches. Carly Chaney, UMD's 2026 NSIC Player to Watch, earned her first win at No. 1 singles with a 6-0, 7-5 victory vs. Paula Sendele. Rookies Morgan Hammer and Mia Miller each earned their first-career wins at No. 3 and No. 4 singles, respectively, while Heideman and Gorton both picked up their second-straight victories - Heideman at No. 5 singles and Gorton at No. 6 singles. 

Chaney and Isabelle Simon earned the Bulldogs' lone doubles win of the day against CSS, 6-1, at No. 3 doubles. 

UMD is back in action Feb. 6 when it takes on St. Catherine University at Baseline Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.