The California women's tennis team was rewarded for another strong season when it claimed an at-large berth in the NCAA Championship on Monday, with the 22nd-ranked Golden Bears tabbed to face 38th-ranked Utah in the first round at USC on Friday.
 
After the Bears (12-7) play Utah (15-9) at 11 a.m. PT in Los Angeles, the host and 12th-ranked Trojans (19-6) take on Sacramento State (19-5) at 2 p.m. on Friday. The first-round winners meet in the second round Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Marks Tennis Stadium for the right to advance to the NCAA Super Regional round.
 
The Bears are led by NCAA Singles Championship runner-up, singles All-American and All-ACC First-Team star Berta Passola Folch, doubles All-American Mao Mushika and All-ACC Third-Team selection Johanne Svendsen. Passola Folch and Mushika — currently ranked 22nd and 99th in singles, respectively — were key members of the squad that reached the NCAA's third round in 2025 and 2024. Svendsen, a freshman ranked 35th in singles, will make her postseason debut at USC. The doubles duo of Mushika and Svendsen is ranked 62nd.
 
"We have high aspirations," Cal interim head coach Kris Kwinta said. "Getting into NCAAs is great, but we're always going to push for a championship. We have a good draw. We know the venue and what to expect since we've played the Trojans there before. The team is playing well, and everyone is excited to compete. We're a dangerous team with the combination of Jo, Berta and Mao, and then we have some threats at the bottom of the lineup as well. Nobody wants to play us. We're excited for the opportunity."
 
Last season, Cal began the NCAA Championship in Seattle, besting Sac State in the first round and host Washington in the second round. The Bears advanced to the super regional and fell to the host Bulldogs, who went on to capture the national title. Cal also reached the super regional at Georgia in 2024.
 
The Bears' overall record in the NCAA Championship is 80-43. Cal's best finishes in the NCAA team tournament were runner-up results in 2008 and 2009.
 
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