University of Tennessee Athletics
Okuwaki Headlines Lady Vol Selections in First ITA Individual Rankings
August 25, 2026 | Women's Tennis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Four Lady Vols earned a spot on the first singles and doubles rankings of the season, the ITA announced Tuesday. Tennessee totaled three total entries, with one singles player and two doubles pairings make the list.
The Big Orange contingent is led by sophomore Rinon Okuwaki, who enters her first season on Rocky Top at No. 40 nationally after a decorated freshman campaign at Clemson.
The native of Saitama, Japan, began her first collegiate dual season with an exceptional 16-0 start in singles and did not have her first setback until April 3 to ITA's then-No. 2 ranked singles player, North Carolina's Reese Brantmeier. She finished her rookie season ranked No. 72 in the country in singles, boasting a 19-6 record. She also capped the year at No. 60 in doubles alongside Jade Groen, as the two played on court one the entire season for the Tigers.
Okuwaki joins junior Francesca Mattioli on the doubles list, tabbed at the No. 55 spot. Mattioli finished last season ranked No. 36 in the nation alongside Vanesa Suarez. Mattioli and Suarez produced a 13-7 record in the 2026 dual season, picking up three ranked wins.
Seniors Maeve Thornton and Stefani Webb earned the No. 68 ranking on the doubles list. Thornton, entering her third season in her hometown of Knoxville, went 12-9 in doubles matches in the 2026 dual season. Thornton and Katrina Scott became a reliable duo on doubles court three for the Lady Vols towards the end of the 2026 season, going 7-3 down the stretch in SEC play.
Webb arrives on Rocky Top after spending the 2025-26 season with the SEC champion and NCAA runner-up Auburn Tigers. Serving mainly as a reserve, Webb compiled a 2-2 singles record and a 2-3 doubles mark last dual season for an Auburn team that won 37 matches. During the 2024-25 collegiate season, the native of Reservoir, Australia, competed in professional events across Asia and Europe, taking a W15 title in Heraklion, Greece.
Lady Vols in the ITA Rankings
Singles
No. 40 – Rinon Okuwaki
Doubles
No. 55 – Francesca Mattioli/Rinon Okuwaki
No. 68 – Maeve Thornton/Stefani Webb
The Big Orange contingent is led by sophomore Rinon Okuwaki, who enters her first season on Rocky Top at No. 40 nationally after a decorated freshman campaign at Clemson.
The native of Saitama, Japan, began her first collegiate dual season with an exceptional 16-0 start in singles and did not have her first setback until April 3 to ITA's then-No. 2 ranked singles player, North Carolina's Reese Brantmeier. She finished her rookie season ranked No. 72 in the country in singles, boasting a 19-6 record. She also capped the year at No. 60 in doubles alongside Jade Groen, as the two played on court one the entire season for the Tigers.
Okuwaki joins junior Francesca Mattioli on the doubles list, tabbed at the No. 55 spot. Mattioli finished last season ranked No. 36 in the nation alongside Vanesa Suarez. Mattioli and Suarez produced a 13-7 record in the 2026 dual season, picking up three ranked wins.
Seniors Maeve Thornton and Stefani Webb earned the No. 68 ranking on the doubles list. Thornton, entering her third season in her hometown of Knoxville, went 12-9 in doubles matches in the 2026 dual season. Thornton and Katrina Scott became a reliable duo on doubles court three for the Lady Vols towards the end of the 2026 season, going 7-3 down the stretch in SEC play.
Webb arrives on Rocky Top after spending the 2025-26 season with the SEC champion and NCAA runner-up Auburn Tigers. Serving mainly as a reserve, Webb compiled a 2-2 singles record and a 2-3 doubles mark last dual season for an Auburn team that won 37 matches. During the 2024-25 collegiate season, the native of Reservoir, Australia, competed in professional events across Asia and Europe, taking a W15 title in Heraklion, Greece.
Lady Vols in the ITA Rankings
Singles
No. 40 – Rinon Okuwaki
Doubles
No. 55 – Francesca Mattioli/Rinon Okuwaki
No. 68 – Maeve Thornton/Stefani Webb
Players Mentioned
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