AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn women’s tennis will enter the 2026 dual match season ranked No. 4 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association preseason rankings, which were released Wednesday. The ranking ties the highest in program history, previously achieved March 7, 2017, and Feb. 20, 2025.
In addition to its No. 4 ITA ranking, Auburn is ranked first nationally among college women’s teams by Universal Tennis Rating (UTR).
Auburn moved into the fourth spot after finishing the 2025 campaign ranked No. 8 and making its fifth NCAA Super Regional appearance in program history. The Tigers also tied the program record for most wins in a season with 25, tallied 11 victories over top-25 opponents and earned the highest national seed in program history at No. 9 in the NCAA Tournament.
The 2025-26 squad features six returners, including DJ Bennett, Angella Okutoyi and Merna Refaat, as well as five newcomers, including transfers Ekaterina Khayrutdinova and Ashton Bowers.
This fall, the roster found success in collegiate tournaments as well as professional events. Junior Ava Esposito became the program’s 13th ITA All-American after reaching the round of 16 at the NCAA Singles Championship, while Khayrutdinova, Refaat, Okutoyi and Bennett each claimed International Tennis Federation titles during the fall.
The No. 4 Tigers will open the season with a home doubleheader against Bellarmine on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. Fans in attendance at First Serve on The Plains will receive a women’s tennis schedule magnet while supplies last.