University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vol Soccer Combined Incoming Class Earns Top-Five Ranking
August 07, 2026 | Soccer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – TopDrawerSoccer.com released its final 2026 recruiting class rankings Friday, with Tennessee soccer earning a No. 5 ranking.
With the season kicking off next week, the college soccer recruiting service ranked its top 50 classes combining freshman newcomers, internationals and transfers.
Tennessee garnered the highest ranking by a Southeastern Conference school behind a 15-member class featuring ten incoming freshman and five transfer additions. A full overview of each newcomer can be found below:
High School Additions
#21 – Ayva Jordan – Las Vegas, Nev.
Ranked as the No. 6 overall player in the class, Jordan is set to make an immediate impact on Tennessee's attack. The Las Vegas native had a decorated ECNL career including 2025 National Finals MVP, four-time All-America, and 2021 Player of the Year honors. Additionally, Jordan has represented the U.S. Youth National Team at various levels ranging from U-15 to U-19.
#12 – Emerson Moore – Lynchburg, Va.
Originally a member of the 2027 class, Moore reclassified to join the Lady Vols this fall. Ranked as the No. 56 overall player in the 2026 class, she is Virginia Episcopal School's all-time leading scorer. In ECNL play, Moore was a 2025 ECNL Conference Cup attendee and was named to the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference First Team. Over the summer, she represented the U.S. Youth National Team at the U-18 level.
#3 – Jayla Blue – Knoxville, Tenn.
Blue elected to stay home after a strong high school career at Bearden, which culminated in Gatorade Tennessee State Player of the Year honors in her senior season. The daughter of 1998 Lady Vol basketball national champion Kristen "Ace" Clement, Blue is the younger sister of junior defender Nyla Blue. She ranks as the No. 73 overall player in the 2026 class.
#31 – Cora Fry – Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Fry arrives in Knoxville following a solid career in California's top prep and ECNL circuits. The 2025 CIF Southern Section Player of the Year, Orange County Player of the Year, and Trinity League MVP, Fry recorded 32 goals and 37 assists during her high school career. With Slammers FC, she earned ECNL All-Conference First Team honors (2025) and helped her team reach multiple national stages, including the 2025 ECNL Semifinals. Fry is ranked as the No. 79 overall player in the 2026 class.
#8 – Olivia Feagin – College Station, Texas
A dynamic and versatile midfielder and a former two-sport athlete, Feagin has been named three times to the ECNL All-Texas Conference First Team (2022–2024) and represented the U.S. at the 2022–2023 USYNT Talent ID Center. The No. 116 overall ranked player in the 2026 class, Feagin also participated in the ODP National Team (2023–2024) and the ECNL Conference Cup in 2024. At College Station High School, she earned District Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-District honors.
#19 – Tesia Mikuta – Hellertown, Pa.
A skilled and creative midfielder from Hellertown, Pennsylvania, Tesia Mikuta joins the Lady Vols as one of the top prospects from the Northeast. A member of the IMG Academy 200, Mikuta is rated the No. 171 overall player in the nation. She starred at Saucon Valley High School, tallying 25 goals and 12 assists during her senior season, while also standing out at the club level with FC Delco. Mikuta earned three consecutive ECNL All-Conference honors from 2023–25, including first-team recognition in 2024, showcasing her consistency and leadership in the midfield.
#6 – Mimi Flanagan – Dallas, Texas
A prominent midfielder from one of Texas's top programs, Flanagan led Ursuline Academy to three consecutive TAPPS Division I State Championships (2023–2025). A 2025 All-State and All-District (2024–2025) selection, she also earned All-Tournament Team honors in 2025. With her club side team, Sting Royal ECNL, Flanagan helped lead them to five ECNL playoff appearances, two ECNL Finals, and a U17 national runner-up finish. Her résumé also includes two ECNL Texas Conference titles, two Texas Cup championships, and the 2025 Dallas International Cup crown.
#24 – Savannah Jackson – Huntington Beach, Calif.
Another Lady Vol who joins the program after reclassifying from the class of 2027, Jackson brings a strong club and youth national team background to Rocky Top. She is a nine-time U.S. Youth National Team ID Center invitee and U-14 camp participant. Additionally, Jackson has completed a trial and ID showcase camp with the NWSL's Angel City FC and KC Current, respectively.
#20 – Claire DeCook – Naperville, Ill.
A standout at Naperville North, DeCook is a three-time All-State, All-Conference and All-Area selection. The 2024 Naperville Sun Player of the Year tallied 45 goals in 62 varsity matches, becoming the first female player in school history to earn All-State honors as a freshman. DeCook led her team to a 2025 State Runner-Up finish and multiple regional and sectional titles. With Galaxy SC, she captured 2025 GA National Championship and 2022–2023 USYS National Championships, earning Best XI honors in 2022.
#0 – Ella Wiederaenders – Austin, Texas
A commanding 6-foot-2 goalkeeper from Austin, Texas, Wiederaenders brings size, presence, and skill to Tennessee's defensive unit. She competed at Regents School while developing with Austin Sting ECNL, helping her club qualify for the 2024 North American Cup in Seattle. She was also selected to the US Club Soccer Girls' Best XI at the 2022 id2 Regional Training Camp, underscoring her early national-level potential. Wiederaenders' combination of athleticism, height, and shot-stopping ability makes her an exciting addition between the posts for the Lady Vols.
All individual rankings via TopDrawerSoccer.com
Transfer Additions
#9 – Kai Tsakiris – Sophomore – Florida – Newport Beach, Calif.
Tsakiris joins Tennessee after impressing as a freshman last season in the Southeastern Conference for Florida. She started all 18 matches for the Gators in her debut campaign, leading the team in goals (4), assists (5), and points (13). Tsakiris was an All-SEC Third Team honoree, SEC Freshman Team selection, and earned a place on the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Fourth Team.
#10 – Taylor Cheatham – Senior – Penn State – Plano, Texas
A senior transfer for the Lady Vols, Cheatham arrives on Rocky Top after stops at Penn State and UCLA. Over two years with the Bruins, she appeared in 36 games, scored two goals, and recorded three assists. After three seasons in the Big Ten, Cheatham brings an aggressive attacking presence to Tennessee.
#18 – Ines Derrien – Junior – USC – San Diego, Calif.
A highly touted transfer in the midfield, Derrien joins Tennessee after two seasons at USC. She offers a strong attacking presence in the midfield, tallying five goals and five assists over 40 matches with the Trojans. Derrien brings postseason pedigree to Rocky Top after notching two assists during USC's NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal run in 2024.
#29 – Lauryn Berry – Senior – Austin Peay – Lee's Summit, Mo.
Berry provides depth and experience to the Tennessee goalkeeping room after three seasons in goal at Austin Peay. In 2025, she led the ASUN conference with 116 saves, recording five shutouts over 18 matches between the sticks. Additionally, her 2025 average of 6.44 saves per game ranked ninth in the NCAA. Over three seasons with the Governors, she made 36 appearances and 32 starts, serving as the team's primary starter in 2024 and 2025.
#13 – Marlee Raymond – Sophomore – Penn State – Cumming, Ga.
An important addition to Tennessee's back line, Raymond joins the Lady Vols after spending her freshman season at Penn State. In her time with the Nitanny Lions, she contributed to shutout victories over Maryland and Army. Prior to enrolling at Penn State, Raymond was a consensus top-100 overall recruit in the 2025 class behind a successful ECNL and high school career. Raymond has also represented the U.S. Youth National Team at varying levels.
Tennessee will kickoff the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 13, as the Lady Vols welcome Rutgers to Regal Soccer Stadium at 7:00 p.m. ET.
With the season kicking off next week, the college soccer recruiting service ranked its top 50 classes combining freshman newcomers, internationals and transfers.
Tennessee garnered the highest ranking by a Southeastern Conference school behind a 15-member class featuring ten incoming freshman and five transfer additions. A full overview of each newcomer can be found below:
High School Additions
#21 – Ayva Jordan – Las Vegas, Nev.
Ranked as the No. 6 overall player in the class, Jordan is set to make an immediate impact on Tennessee's attack. The Las Vegas native had a decorated ECNL career including 2025 National Finals MVP, four-time All-America, and 2021 Player of the Year honors. Additionally, Jordan has represented the U.S. Youth National Team at various levels ranging from U-15 to U-19.
#12 – Emerson Moore – Lynchburg, Va.
Originally a member of the 2027 class, Moore reclassified to join the Lady Vols this fall. Ranked as the No. 56 overall player in the 2026 class, she is Virginia Episcopal School's all-time leading scorer. In ECNL play, Moore was a 2025 ECNL Conference Cup attendee and was named to the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference First Team. Over the summer, she represented the U.S. Youth National Team at the U-18 level.
#3 – Jayla Blue – Knoxville, Tenn.
Blue elected to stay home after a strong high school career at Bearden, which culminated in Gatorade Tennessee State Player of the Year honors in her senior season. The daughter of 1998 Lady Vol basketball national champion Kristen "Ace" Clement, Blue is the younger sister of junior defender Nyla Blue. She ranks as the No. 73 overall player in the 2026 class.
#31 – Cora Fry – Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Fry arrives in Knoxville following a solid career in California's top prep and ECNL circuits. The 2025 CIF Southern Section Player of the Year, Orange County Player of the Year, and Trinity League MVP, Fry recorded 32 goals and 37 assists during her high school career. With Slammers FC, she earned ECNL All-Conference First Team honors (2025) and helped her team reach multiple national stages, including the 2025 ECNL Semifinals. Fry is ranked as the No. 79 overall player in the 2026 class.
#8 – Olivia Feagin – College Station, Texas
A dynamic and versatile midfielder and a former two-sport athlete, Feagin has been named three times to the ECNL All-Texas Conference First Team (2022–2024) and represented the U.S. at the 2022–2023 USYNT Talent ID Center. The No. 116 overall ranked player in the 2026 class, Feagin also participated in the ODP National Team (2023–2024) and the ECNL Conference Cup in 2024. At College Station High School, she earned District Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-District honors.
#19 – Tesia Mikuta – Hellertown, Pa.
A skilled and creative midfielder from Hellertown, Pennsylvania, Tesia Mikuta joins the Lady Vols as one of the top prospects from the Northeast. A member of the IMG Academy 200, Mikuta is rated the No. 171 overall player in the nation. She starred at Saucon Valley High School, tallying 25 goals and 12 assists during her senior season, while also standing out at the club level with FC Delco. Mikuta earned three consecutive ECNL All-Conference honors from 2023–25, including first-team recognition in 2024, showcasing her consistency and leadership in the midfield.
#6 – Mimi Flanagan – Dallas, Texas
A prominent midfielder from one of Texas's top programs, Flanagan led Ursuline Academy to three consecutive TAPPS Division I State Championships (2023–2025). A 2025 All-State and All-District (2024–2025) selection, she also earned All-Tournament Team honors in 2025. With her club side team, Sting Royal ECNL, Flanagan helped lead them to five ECNL playoff appearances, two ECNL Finals, and a U17 national runner-up finish. Her résumé also includes two ECNL Texas Conference titles, two Texas Cup championships, and the 2025 Dallas International Cup crown.
#24 – Savannah Jackson – Huntington Beach, Calif.
Another Lady Vol who joins the program after reclassifying from the class of 2027, Jackson brings a strong club and youth national team background to Rocky Top. She is a nine-time U.S. Youth National Team ID Center invitee and U-14 camp participant. Additionally, Jackson has completed a trial and ID showcase camp with the NWSL's Angel City FC and KC Current, respectively.
#20 – Claire DeCook – Naperville, Ill.
A standout at Naperville North, DeCook is a three-time All-State, All-Conference and All-Area selection. The 2024 Naperville Sun Player of the Year tallied 45 goals in 62 varsity matches, becoming the first female player in school history to earn All-State honors as a freshman. DeCook led her team to a 2025 State Runner-Up finish and multiple regional and sectional titles. With Galaxy SC, she captured 2025 GA National Championship and 2022–2023 USYS National Championships, earning Best XI honors in 2022.
#0 – Ella Wiederaenders – Austin, Texas
A commanding 6-foot-2 goalkeeper from Austin, Texas, Wiederaenders brings size, presence, and skill to Tennessee's defensive unit. She competed at Regents School while developing with Austin Sting ECNL, helping her club qualify for the 2024 North American Cup in Seattle. She was also selected to the US Club Soccer Girls' Best XI at the 2022 id2 Regional Training Camp, underscoring her early national-level potential. Wiederaenders' combination of athleticism, height, and shot-stopping ability makes her an exciting addition between the posts for the Lady Vols.
All individual rankings via TopDrawerSoccer.com
Transfer Additions
#9 – Kai Tsakiris – Sophomore – Florida – Newport Beach, Calif.
Tsakiris joins Tennessee after impressing as a freshman last season in the Southeastern Conference for Florida. She started all 18 matches for the Gators in her debut campaign, leading the team in goals (4), assists (5), and points (13). Tsakiris was an All-SEC Third Team honoree, SEC Freshman Team selection, and earned a place on the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Fourth Team.
#10 – Taylor Cheatham – Senior – Penn State – Plano, Texas
A senior transfer for the Lady Vols, Cheatham arrives on Rocky Top after stops at Penn State and UCLA. Over two years with the Bruins, she appeared in 36 games, scored two goals, and recorded three assists. After three seasons in the Big Ten, Cheatham brings an aggressive attacking presence to Tennessee.
#18 – Ines Derrien – Junior – USC – San Diego, Calif.
A highly touted transfer in the midfield, Derrien joins Tennessee after two seasons at USC. She offers a strong attacking presence in the midfield, tallying five goals and five assists over 40 matches with the Trojans. Derrien brings postseason pedigree to Rocky Top after notching two assists during USC's NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal run in 2024.
#29 – Lauryn Berry – Senior – Austin Peay – Lee's Summit, Mo.
Berry provides depth and experience to the Tennessee goalkeeping room after three seasons in goal at Austin Peay. In 2025, she led the ASUN conference with 116 saves, recording five shutouts over 18 matches between the sticks. Additionally, her 2025 average of 6.44 saves per game ranked ninth in the NCAA. Over three seasons with the Governors, she made 36 appearances and 32 starts, serving as the team's primary starter in 2024 and 2025.
#13 – Marlee Raymond – Sophomore – Penn State – Cumming, Ga.
An important addition to Tennessee's back line, Raymond joins the Lady Vols after spending her freshman season at Penn State. In her time with the Nitanny Lions, she contributed to shutout victories over Maryland and Army. Prior to enrolling at Penn State, Raymond was a consensus top-100 overall recruit in the 2025 class behind a successful ECNL and high school career. Raymond has also represented the U.S. Youth National Team at varying levels.
Tennessee will kickoff the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 13, as the Lady Vols welcome Rutgers to Regal Soccer Stadium at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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