ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Oakland University women's tennis team opens the 2026-27 season at the annual WMU Betsy Kuhle Invitational on Sept. 18-19 at the Sorensen Tennis Courts.

The Golden Grizzlies begin competition Friday with a round of doubles at 10 a.m. ET, followed by two rounds of singles. Saturday's schedule features two rounds of doubles starting at 10 a.m., and closes with a final round of singles. In the event of inclement weather, competition will move to the West Hill Athletic Club.

Oakland returns to the Betsy Kuhle Invitational for the first time since the 2023-24 season. Seniors Edie Hammond and Emilia Jarvinen began their collegiate careers at the event that season, competing against players from Western Michigan, Marquette, Michigan State, Milwaukee, and Youngstown State.

This year's field includes host Western Michigan, Cleveland State, Grand Valley, Oakland, and Youngstown State. 

The reigning Horizon League regular-season champions return most of last year's roster, with just one graduating senior departing. Horizon League Freshman of the Year, Oliwia Klimas joins Hammond, Jarvinen, and juniors Martyna Piechowicz and Nisa Bulut among Oakland's returning players. Newcomers Michelle Berkovich, Alison Doka, Isabella Jaray, and Martina Marušinová will debut for the Golden Grizzlies at the invitational.

In addition to claiming the program's first-ever regular-season title, Oakland produced three All-League team selections last season, while head coach David Brown earned the program's first Horizon League Coach of the Year honor. 

With a strong returning core and talented group of newcomers, Oakland enters the season seeking to repeat as regular-season champions and capture the program's first-ever conference tournament title. 

How to Follow Oakland Women's Tennis: For complete information on Oakland Women's Tennis, follow the team on Instagram and X at @OaklandWTennis.