TEMPE, Ariz. — The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) revealed its 2024 Preseason Team Rankings on Wednesday, with Caltech Women's Tennis receiving the No. 21 rank in the country among all Div. III institutions.

The rankings are determined by the results of the results of the Top 40 Coaches Poll, as voted on by the ITA Region Chairs who make up the National Ranking Committee.

This year's team returns every player but one from its record-breaking 2023 season, which saw the group reach a program-best No. 16 national ranking in addition to earning the No. 5 spot on the regional list. The squad picked up seven wins over ranked teams en route to a tie for the conference's third-best record; the Beavers ended the season as the third-highest ranked SCIAC team in the end-of-season national poll. It was the third straight full season in which the program collected nine or wins.

The Beavers welcome back a plethora of experienced and skilled players, including senior Emily Zhang (Sharon, Mass. / Sharon), who earned First Team All-SCIAC honors in 2022, and junior Yoyo Benchetrit (Toronto, Ont. / St. Clements), who received Second Team All-SCIAC recognition in 2023.

Zhang wrapped up 2023 ranked No. 11 in the region and No. 38 nationally in singles after playing in the first spot for the entirety of the season. She secured three singles wins over regionally-ranked opponents, including one over the eventual No. 22-ranked player in the nation.

Benchetrit's 11 singles wins led the team last spring; she registered an exceptional 11-3 record on the year with a near-perfect 4-1 record in SCIAC action, playing mainly at the second spot. She wrapped up the season ranked 20th regionally in singles.

The returners will play alongside three talented newcomers, who will look to help the experienced squad as they take on 2024.

Second-year head coach Benay Weintraub was proud of how the team performed in 2023.

"Last season, we developed and grew in so many ways as a team and individuals," said Weintraub. "I am so proud of how our team competed with grit and courage."

As they look forward to this spring, the group will strive to continue doing damage as they take on foes throughout the conference, region and nation.

"We are grateful to host some of the best women's tennis programs from all over the country, which provides our student-athletes with an amazing opportunity to advance their tennis game, mental toughness and physical strength," said Weintraub. "Caltech is such a special institution with special student-athletes. These young women prove they can balance their passions for STEM, their commitment to the team and their love of tennis. I am so excited to watch this team shine bright this spring," she said. "It is a great time to be a Beaver."

2024 action begins on the road as the Beavers take on Westmont College on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. before the squad hosts its home opener on Monday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. versus Brandeis University. Cheer on the Beavers in person and follow along online at gocaltech.com/coverage.

Follow Caltech Women's Tennis on Twitter/X and Instagram and follow Caltech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram.