BOONE, N.C. – The App State tennis team is set to open its 2026 home schedule Friday at 2 p.m. against UNC Asheville at Deer Valley Athletic Club.
The Mountaineers' previously scheduled match against Davidson on Sunday has been postponed.
Last Time Out
The Mountaineers (0-2) fell to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., last Friday, 5-2. Savannah Dada-Mascoll picked up a win in the No. 1 spot against All-American Özlem Uslu in three sets, triumphing 6-3, 1-6, 7-5. The performance earned her Sun Belt Women's Tennis Player of the Week honors.
Freshman Allegra Hodson was also a bright spot for the Mountaineers, picking up her first collegiate win in the No. 5 spot in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
Scouting the Mountaineers
App State opens the 2026 season following a historic fall by now-No. 5 Dada-Mascoll. Dada-Mascoll defeated nine ranked opponents, including then-No. 1 DJ Bennett, en route to becoming an NCAA singles quarterfinalist and earning All-American honors.
The Mountaineers are coming off a record-breaking 2025 season in which the program earned 17 wins. That run included nine Sun Belt Conference victories, eight of which were consecutive, as part of a 10-match winning streak.
This year's roster retains six players: Dada-Mascoll, Ruby Broadbent, Alexi Cleveland, Naledi Manyube, Taya Powell and Isabela Romanichen. Third-year head coach Hannah Fetters also added two newcomers: Sreenidhi Balaji and Hodson.
Scouting the Bulldogs
UNC Asheville enters the season after finishing 12-7 (4-1 Big South) in 2025, returning three players from last year's squad and adding four freshmen. The Mountaineers faced the Bulldogs last season, with App State winning 5-2 in Asheville, N.C.
The Bulldogs are led by head coach Jeff Maren, who is entering his first season at the helm.
Next Up
The Mountaineers will hit the road for a match in Johnson City, Tenn., to take on ETSU on Thursday. First serve is slated for 2 p.m.
The 2025-26 season is presented by Hound Ears Club.
NOTE: Due to the potential for inclement weather in the High Country this weekend, match times are subject to change. Follow @AppWTennis on Instagram and Twitter, and check appstatesports.com for the latest schedule updates.
