Utah to Host Weber State and Idaho State in Home Opener

Saturday, January 24

Salt Lake City, Utah

10:00 AM

University of Utah

Weber State

Utah to Host Weber State and Idaho State in Home Opener

1/21/2026 4:56 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Takota Lee

Salt Lake City— The Utah Utes women's tennis team will open home play in a double header against the Weber State Wildcats and Idaho State Bengals on Saturday, Jan. 24 starting at 10 a.m. MT.
The Utes currently hold a 0-1 record after a loss to the UCSB Gauchos this past weekend.

MATCH INFORMATION
Utah (0-1, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Weber State (0-0, 0-0 Big Sky)
DATE | TIME: Saturday, January 24 | 10 a.m. MT
LOCATION: Salt Lake City, UT | George S. Eccles Tennis Center
LIVE STATS: Click Here
TWITTER UPDATES: @UteWomensTennis

MATCH INFORMATION
Utah (0-1, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Idaho State (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky)
DATE | TIME: Saturday, January 24 | 2 p.m. MT
LOCATION: Salt Lake City, UT | George S. Eccles Tennis Center
LIVE STATS: Click Here
TWITTER UPDATES: @UteWomensTennis

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
The Weber State Wildcats struggled during the 2025 season with a 0-19 record. The Wildcats see returner in senior Jessica Hill, who led the 'Cats with an overall singles record of 6-12. Weber State's official 2026 season will open up Friday, January 23 against Utah Tech before traveling down to face the University of Utah in the Utes' home opener.

SCOUTING THE BENGALS
The Idaho State Bengals fell to the Boise State Broncos 2-5 to open up their 2026 season. Idaho State started out strong in doubles play by sweeping all three doubles matches against the Broncos but struggled in singles play. Bengals' freshman Emmy Richards earned the lone singles victory against the Broncos with a 6-3, 6-4 win. Richards remains undefeated following her first collegiate match.

THE UTES
The Utah women's tennis program returns seniors Dylan Lolofie, Kaila Barksdale and Emma Valletta. The Utes also welcome juniors Sara Akid and Emma Kamper this season. Utah has one sophomore returning to the squad in Hayley Roberts. The Utes welcome four newcomers with two transfers in Emmie Moore and Kamea Medora and two new true freshman in Andjelija Markovic and Hailey Kerker.

LAST TIME OUT
The Utah women's tennis team fell 4-3 against UC Santa Barbara to open up its 2026 season.

The Utes got off to a slow start as the Guacho swept the Utes in doubles action. In singles play, Santa Barbara secured victories at the No. 2, No. 6, and No. 1 spots to clinch the match.
Three Utes picked up their first wins of the season in Kaila Barksdale, Emma Valleta and Sara Akid. Barksdale defeated Emma Tutoveanu 7-5, 6-4 at the No. 3 spot. Valletta earned a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over UCSB's Lily Pradkin at the No. 4 spot. Akid picked up a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Raphaelle Leroux at the No. 4 spot to close out the match.

HEAD COACH RUTH ANN ALLEN
The Utah women's tennis team welcomed Ruth Ann Allen as head coach this season. A Utah native and a Utah All-American and Hall of Famer, Allen returns to lead the program after a successful tenure as head coach at Weber State. She guided the Wildcats to a Big Sky Championship in 2023 and was twice named Big Sky Coach of the Year (2022, 2023).

Before Weber State, Allen spent 20 seasons as an assistant coach at Utah, where she helped the Utes secure multiple NCAA Tournament bids, two Mountain West Conference titles, and numerous top-five regional rankings. Allen, an All-American during her playing career at Utah, was inducted into the Utah Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2023.

NEXT UP
The Utes will bounce back home for another double header against Utah State and Montana on Friday, January 30 before travelling to Hawai'i to face the Rainbow Wahine on Feb. 7.

FOLLOW THE UTES
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