LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine women's tennis made its 2026 home debut, splitting a doubleheader with a 6-1 win over University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) before dropping a 5-2 battle to Marshall at the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex.

The Knights (6-3) started the day with an early match against Cumberlands. The Patriots got off to a quick start, taking the No. 2 doubles flight 7-5. Bellarmine responded though as junior Nikola Kollaritsch and freshman Claudia Fuste Fernandez earned a 7-6 win in flight three to even the doubles score at one match apiece. Senior Vendula Kryslova and sophomore Reese Parker sealed the deal for Bellarmine on court one, winning 6-2 to earn the team point and take a 1-0 lead.

Moving into singles, Kollaritsch made quick work of her opponent, winning 6-2, 6-2 to take the first singles point on court six. Freshman Gracie Hurley was the next to finish, defeating her opponent 6-2, 6-1 on court three. On court five, junior Lillie Willis kept the points coming for Bellarmine, earning a 6-2, 6-2 victory. Parker and Kryslova followed, each getting a second win on courts four and one, respectively, with Parker taking down her opponent 6-4, 6-2 and Kryslova winning 6-2, 7-6.

Cumberlands earned its only point of the day with a win on court two as Bellarmine cruised to a 6-1 win in the day's opening match.
In the second match of the day, Marshall claimed the doubles point with wins in the first two flights.

Willis evened the match at 1-1 with an 8-4 win on court six.

From there, Marshall claimed three straight wins on courts two, three and four to clinch the match.

The Knights did give in however as Kollaritsch battled for a 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 10-3 victory on court five.

Marshall finished the match with a final win on court win, taking the match 5-2.

Up next, Bellarmine will travel to Lynchburg, VA for a pair of matches at Liberty University, taking on University of Delaware and the Flames on January 24.

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