When UNC women’s tennis senior Reilly Tran became doubles partners with first-year Thea Rabman, she said there was no awkward phase.
Rabman is not only happy-go-lucky, but a straight-talking New Yorker. That helps Tran: she too is straightforward but can be indecisive. The pair’s relationship has come natural, from first playing together at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic in September 2023, to now, when Tran cooks tofu and brussels sprouts for Rabman.
“Thea is one of the easiest people to build chemistry with,” Tran said.
It's a valuable trait for a No. 4 UNC team reeling from a season-ending injury to sophomore Reese Brantmeier, who at one point was ranked as high as No. 2 in the country for women's singles. Now, UNC’s new additions to its singles and doubles lineups must adapt fast.
Good thing, then, that Rabman’s performance in UNC’s 7-0 victory over Syracuse on Sunday showed how flexible the first-year is in play style and attitude.
Take Rabman’s doubles outing with Tran as an example. Head coach Brian Kalbas challenged the duo to be more aggressive after Saturday’s matchup against Boston College, in which Kalbas said Rabman and Tran were too reactive.
Part of playing more aggressively is mixing up plays. Sometimes, when the coaches wanted to give Syracuse a different look, they’d instruct Rabman and Tran to deploy the Australian formation when serving. Instead of one player on the right side and the other on the left, both players are on the same side.
Tran said she hates the Australian. Rabman, however, was excited to play the formation and told Tran, “We got this.” Tran and Rabman went on to sweep their opponents 6-0.
“She’s leading the senior out there,” Tran said.
