Eastern Michigan Tennis Set to Compete at Drake Invitational

The Eastern Michigan University women’s tennis team will participate in the Drake Invitational, taking place from October 31st to November 2nd at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

The three-day invitational will feature six schools – Eastern Michigan, Drake, Iowa State, North Dakota, Northern Iowa, and Omaha – with players competing in both singles and doubles matches. Representing the Eagles will be Lara Diaz Zayas, Regina Mendez Carreno, Sabrina Tolstova, Matilde Parreira, and Pehal Kharadkar. Eastern Michigan recently achieved a strong showing at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships, capturing eight wins, the most in a decade, signaling a promising start to the season for the team.

This event marks a return to the state of Iowa for the Eagles for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Head coach Ryan Kucera, who previously worked as a tennis professional and coach in the Des Moines area, will be leading a roster comprised of players from eight countries and four continents. The team’s diverse international representation reflects a growing trend in collegiate athletics, broadening perspectives and competitive dynamics. More information about collegiate tennis can be found at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association website.

The Drake Invitational provides a valuable opportunity for the Eagles to gain experience against opponents from various conferences, including the Missouri Valley, Big 12, and Summit League. Following the invitational, Eastern Michigan will begin its dual season on January 17, 2026, hosting Cleveland State University. You can find more information about the EMU Eagles tennis program here.