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5 Shocking Golden Bear Updates: Cal Berkeley Women's Tennis Navigates Major Coaching Change After NCAA Final Run

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The Cal Berkeley Women's Tennis program is currently in a period of dramatic transition, marked by both a historic individual performance and a pivotal coaching change that will define the team's direction for the 2026 season. As of December 23, 2025, the Golden Bears are operating under an interim head coach following the retirement of a legendary figure, all while celebrating an unexpected All-American run in the final weeks of the fall schedule. This article breaks down the five most crucial, up-to-the-minute developments shaping the future of Cal Tennis.

The Golden Bears' recent momentum, including a strong run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in the previous season, sets a high bar for the new coaching staff as the team prepares for its first full season competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The convergence of a coaching search and the rise of unranked players to national prominence makes this one of the most compelling periods in recent Cal Athletics history.

The New Era: Coaching Staff and Program Leadership

The biggest news impacting the Cal Women's Tennis program came in September 2025 when longtime Head Coach Amanda Augustus announced her retirement.

Augustus, an alumna and Cal Hall of Famer, led the Golden Bears for 18 seasons, securing a legacy that included numerous NCAA tournament appearances and developing multiple All-Americans.

Her departure has initiated a national search for a permanent replacement, placing the program under new, yet familiar, leadership for the immediate future.

Interim Head Coach Kris Kwinta Takes the Reins

In a move that consolidates leadership across the tennis programs, the current Peter Wright Director of Men's Tennis, Kris Kwinta, has stepped in as the Interim Head Coach for the women's team.

Kwinta is now responsible for guiding both the men's and women's squads through the competitive 2025-2026 season.

He is supported by a dedicated staff, including Assistant Coaches Stephanie Kusano Wallace and Jean Lozano, who are tasked with maintaining the team's high standard of play and academic excellence during this transition.

This interim structure ensures continuity for key players and recruits while the athletic department conducts a thorough search for a permanent women’s program leader.

Berta Passola Folch's Unforgettable NCAA Singles Final Run

The most inspiring on-court story of the 2025 fall season belongs to senior Berta Passola Folch.

In November 2025, Passola Folch—who entered the tournament unranked at No. 113—blazed a trail to the NCAA Singles Championship final in Orlando, Florida, in her first individual postseason appearance.

Her Cinderella run was highlighted by a stunning victory over No. 67-ranked Emily Welker of Ole Miss in a grueling semifinal match.

Although she ultimately fell in the final to UNC senior Reese Brantmeier, Passola Folch's performance was a monumental achievement, earning her the coveted All-American distinction.

This unexpected success has generated immense positive buzz for the program and serves as a powerful testament to the talent developed at the Hellman Tennis Complex.

Key Players and the 2025-2026 Roster Spotlight

The 2025-2026 roster is a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, crucial for navigating the demanding schedule and the transition to the ACC.

Beyond the All-American Berta Passola Folch, several other Golden Bears are poised to make significant contributions.

  • Mao Mushika: A key singles and doubles player whose ranking and experience will anchor the top of the lineup.
  • Anya Murthy: Showed early promise in the fall season, including competing in the Cal Fall Invitational.
  • Laura Cilekova: Expected to be a consistent force in the middle of the singles order.
  • Greta Greco Lucchina: Provides essential depth and dual-match experience.
  • Sophie Hernandez: A talented player whose development is key under the new coaching staff.
  • Mille Johanna Moerk: A newer face expected to make an impact as the spring season begins.

The team’s competitive depth was evident early in the season, with the Golden Bears securing both singles and doubles titles at the Cal Fall Invitational in September 2024 (part of the 2024-2025 schedule), demonstrating their readiness for elite competition.

Academic Excellence and ITA Honors

The Cal Women's Tennis program consistently excels not only on the court but also in the classroom, underscoring the "student-athlete" philosophy at Berkeley.

In 2025, the team was honored with the ITA All-Academic Team award, a recognition of their collective high performance in their studies.

Individual players also received high academic honors, with six student-athletes named to the 2025 All-ACC Academic Team.

The players achieving this prestigious academic distinction included: Jessica Alsola, Cami Brown, and the aforementioned Berta Passola Folch, demonstrating that success in high-level college tennis is compatible with rigorous academic pursuits.

The ACC Challenge and The Path Ahead

The 2025-2026 season represents a significant shift as the University of California, Berkeley, officially transitions its athletic programs, including women's tennis, into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

This move places the Golden Bears in one of the most competitive tennis conferences in the nation, alongside perennial powerhouses like North Carolina, Duke, and Virginia.

The team’s performance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, where they reached the Sweet 16, provides a strong foundation for this new chapter.

With a current 9-3 conference record in the ACC standings as of late 2025, the team has already proven it can compete at the highest level of its new league.

The focus for Interim Head Coach Kris Kwinta and the team will be to build on the momentum from Passola Folch’s historic run, integrate the young talent, and solidify a winning culture as they face the weekly grind of a top-tier ACC schedule. The search for a permanent head coach will be closely watched, as that decision will ultimately define the long-term trajectory of this elite collegiate program.

cal berkeley women's tennis
cal berkeley women's tennis

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