A new exhibit at the University of Georgia Special Collections Libraries tells the 100-year history of women’s tennis at UGA from its recreational status in the 1920s to three national championships in 2025 and 2026.
With photos, rackets, uniforms, and news articles on display, the exhibit Game. Set. Match: The History of UGA Women's Tennis begins with a look at intramural women’s tennis, which grew along with female enrollment in the first half of the 20th century. It continues with the story of Becky Birchmore, who became the first woman to compete in intercollegiate tennis at UGA in 1963, when she joined the men’s varsity team three years before the first women’s club team was formed.
The exhibit highlights the first team to compete at the varsity level, coached by Jane Kuykendoll after the Title IX law transformed the landscape of women’s athletics, and continues through the recent era of success under Coach Jeff Wallace, which featured six national championships, and the latest achievements of the team under head coach Drake Bernstein, which include the 2025 NCAA Outdoor title and back-to-back Intercollegiate Tennis Association Indoor titles in 2025 and 2026.
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Women’s tennis has been a consistent powerhouse at UGA for nearly 40 years. Jeff Wallace established the program as a perennial national championship contender, and now Drake Bernstein is building on that legacy and adding a new chapter of success to the program’s storied history,” said Jason Hasty, Georgia athletics archivist, who curated the exhibit.
Game. Set. Match: The History of UGA Women's Tennis will remain on display until April of 2027. Galleries at the UGA Special Collections Libraries Building are open to visitors for free from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with extended evening hours until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit libs.uga.edu/scl.