The Tennessee Lady Vols' 2026 tennis season came to a close on May 2 in the NCAA Tournament second round, falling 4-1 to No. 15 seed Duke at Ambler Tennis Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The match marked the end of a hard-fought campaign for Tennessee, which finished 14-10 overall and 8-7 in SEC play.

Duke, boasting a strong 19-7 record and 10-2 in ACC action, proved a tough opponent on their home court. The Blue Devils jumped out to an early lead in doubles, setting the tone for the match. Duke head coach Jamie Ashworth praised his team's doubles performance, noting that despite an early deficit at No. 1, the team found its rhythm. "We threw Ava Krug in there, in the doubles, and she hadn't been a part of that in a while, and she played unbelievably well," Ashworth said. "They got a little bit of momentum and confidence, and Liv Hovde played a really good doubles match as well."

Tennessee entered the second round with momentum after a gritty 4-2 victory over Old Dominion in the tournament's opening round. That win showcased the Lady Vols' resilience, but Duke's experience and depth ultimately proved too much to overcome in singles play.

For Tennessee, the season was a testament to growth and determination. While the NCAA Tournament exit stings, the Lady Vols can take pride in competing at a high level against a top-15 program. As the team looks ahead to next season, fans will be eager to see how this squad builds on its journey through the SEC and into the postseason.