Breaking: Auburn Women’s Tennis Soars to No. 4 Ranking, Ties Program Record, as They Gear Up for 2026 Season Opener!
AUBURN, Ala. – In a stunning accomplishment that ties a program record, Auburn’s women’s tennis team has secured the No. 4 spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s preseason rankings, officials announced Wednesday. This ranking matches Auburn’s highest ever achieved, last seen in March 2017 and February 2025. Additionally, the Tigers have claimed the No. 1 national ranking among college women’s teams by Universal Tennis Rating (UTR). Following a successful 2025 season with 25 wins, 11 top-25 victories, and a program-first No. 9 NCAA Tournament seed, Auburn is poised to make another strong showing in 2026. With six returning players, including notable stars DJ Bennett, Angella Okutoyi, and Merna Refaat, and the addition of transfers Ekaterina Khayrutdinova and Ashton Bowers, the Tigers have their sights set on another memorable season. This fall, standout players like Ava Esposito and Khayrutdinova brought home hardware, with Esposito earning ITA All-American honors and athletes like Okutoyi and Bennett claiming International Tennis Federation titles. Auburn fans can witness the Fire get their season started in a home doubleheader against Bellarmine this Sunday at the Yarbrough Tennis Center, with First Serve on The Plains giving away women’s tennis schedule magnets while supplies last.
Auburn Women’s Tennis: Primed for 2026, Here’s Why They’re a Force to Be Reckoned With
War Eagle Soars High in Preseason Rankings
Auburn’s women’s tennis team is perched at the precipice of greatness, entering the 2026 dual match season ranked No. 4 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) preseason rankings. This elite status ties their all-time high, last achieved in 2017 and 2025. But the Tigers, under the watchful eye of head coach Finn Barr, are hungry for more.
ITA’s Top Four Meets UTR’s No. 1 Spot
%CITA% ranking alone isn’t the only feather in their cap. Auburn has also claimed the No. 1 spot in the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) rankings. This multi-faceted approach to rating teams allows the Tigers to show their muscle on different fronts.
%Did you know?% The last team to achieve both a top-four ITA ranking and No. 1 UTR rating in the same season was the Stanford Cardinal in 2018. The Tigers are aiming to write their own history in 2026.
Auburn’s 2025 Campaign: A Record-Setter
Last year, the Tigers finished eighth in the nation and made their fifth NCAA Super Regional appearance. They tied their program record with 25 wins, including victories over 11 top-25 opponents, and secured the highest national seed in Tigers’ history – No. 9.
A Look Ahead: Returners and Newcomers
The 2025-26 squad will be led by six returning powerhouses, including reigning All-America honoree DJ Bennett, alongside Angella Okutoyi and Merna Refaat. Bolstering the lineup are five fresh faces, including transfers % Ekaterina Khayrutdinova% and %Ashton Bowers%.
%Pro tip:% Keep an eye on Ava Esposito, a junior who became the program’s 13th ITA All-American and reached the round of 16 at the NCAA Singles Championship.
Offseason Gladiators
This past fall, the Auburn roster didn’t slow down. Ava Esposito’s All-American status was just the tip of the iceberg. Ekaterina Khayrutdinova, Merna Refaat, Angella Okutoyi, and DJ Bennett each captured International Tennis Federation (ITF) titles,.} totalling a formidable five trophies brought home to Auburn.
Season Kickoff: First Serve on The Plains
The No. 4 Tigers will commence their campaign on Sunday, Feb. 18, hosting a doubleheader against Bellarmine at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. The matches are slated for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT. Arrive early for First Serve on The Plains to secure your women’s tennis schedule magnet – while supplies last!
FAQs
Q: Who is the head coach of the Auburn women’s tennis team?
A: Finn Barr is the head coach of the Auburn women’s tennis team.
Q: When was the last time Auburn was ranked No. 4 in the ITA preseason rankings?
A: Auburn was previously ranked No. 4 in the ITA preseason rankings on March 7, 2017, and Feb. 20, 2025.
Next Stop: History in the Making
Auburn women’s tennis is baking a compelling narrative for the 2026 season. With an elite preseason ranking, a dominant UTR rating, and a fearsome roster, they’re poised to shatter records and write new chapters in their illustrious history. As they step onto the court this Sunday, one thing’s for sure – the Plains will be buzzing with anticipation.
%Call-to-Action:% Share your predictions and thoughts on Auburn’s 2026 campaign in the comments below! Explore more women’s tennis articles and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all things College Sports.