Alabama Women's Tennis Enters SEC Play Undefeated

Crimson Tide has 8-0 record heading into conference matchup against Mississippi State

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Alabama women's tennis team is entering SEC play with an undefeated 8-0 record, the first time the team has started conference play undefeated since 2019. Head coach Jonatan Berhane acknowledged the SEC is the "toughest conference in the country" with 7 teams ranked in the top 10, but the Crimson Tide has only dropped points in two of its non-conference matches so far this season.

Why it matters

Alabama's undefeated start to the season is an impressive feat given the strength of the SEC, which is widely considered the top women's tennis conference in the country. The team's ability to maintain its winning ways against non-conference opponents sets them up well for a potentially strong conference run.

The details

Alabama's only losses so far this season have come against UAB, which secured the doubles point in a tiebreaker, and Arkansas State, which won a singles match against the Crimson Tide. The doubles pairing of junior Kristina Paskauskas and freshman Karla Bartel has been a standout for Alabama, winning their matches against UNA and Arkansas State.

  • Alabama opens SEC play on Sunday, February 19, 2026 against Mississippi State.
  • The Crimson Tide last entered SEC play undefeated in 2019.

The players

Jonatan Berhane

Head coach of the Alabama women's tennis team.

Kristina Paskauskas

Junior on the Alabama women's tennis team, part of the standout doubles pairing with Karla Bartel.

Karla Bartel

Freshman on the Alabama women's tennis team, part of the standout doubles pairing with Kristina Paskauskas.

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What they’re saying

“It's the toughest conference in the country. You have 7 teams in the top 10, if you look at the universal tennis rating, so it's about staying disciplined, competing extremely hard, and being able to sustain that for a long period of time.”

— Jonatan Berhane, Head Coach (The Crimson White)

“We talk about enjoying the wins, but we're not content, and we will continue to build from here into next week and SEC play.”

— Jonatan Berhane, Head Coach (The Crimson White)

What’s next

Alabama will play its first SEC match of the season on Sunday, February 19, 2026 against Mississippi State in Starkville.

The takeaway

Alabama women's tennis has positioned itself well for a strong SEC campaign by going undefeated in non-conference play, but the team knows the challenges that lie ahead in the nation's toughest women's tennis conference. Maintaining their focus and discipline will be key as the Crimson Tide looks to build on its impressive start to the season.