Members of the New York University women's tennis team opened the 2025-26 season with competition against players from Haverford College and The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) at the TCNJ Lions Kickoff on Saturday, September 13, in Ewing, NJ.

The no-scoring contest included singles and double matches. The Violets walked away victorious in seven of the singles and one of the doubles matches. 

"It was good to see the team in action. I believe competition helps you be more purposeful and productive in practice," Head Coach Horace Choy explained. 

Vera Bondarenko (6-2,6-1), Sophia Yang (6-3, 7-6), Siona Vallabhaneni (6-3, 6-4) and Norah Staunton (6-1, 6-2)  all won their three-set single matches for the Violets. 

Emma Kast (8-1), Diana Pujals (8-2), and Noelle Faber (8-3) also won for the Violets in a trio of single-set matches. 

In doubles, Pujals and Faber combined for a doubles victory over TCNJ (8-3). The Violets' pair of Victoria Wang and Aditi Narayan fell in their match, but forced the score into a tie break of 8-6.

"Not returning any of our doubles teams, I mixed and matched a little in preparation for ITA's and next Spring," Choy added. "Singles was better and everyone competed hard. These two days are a learning opportunity. I thought the first-year players, Sara [Gao], Noelle [Faber], and Sophia [Yang] acquitted themselves well."

The two-day invitational will continue on Sunday.