The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women’s Tennis signs Peyton Stearns to National Letter of Intent
02.05.2020 | Women's Tennis
Top recruit will join the Longhorns as a freshman for the 2020-21 season.
AUSTIN, Texas — Peyton Stearns (Mason, Ohio) has signed a National Letter of Intent to play tennis next season at The University of Texas, head coach Howard Joffe announced Wednesday. Stearns, a top recruit for the class of 2020, will join the Longhorns as a freshman for the 2020-21 season.
"Peyton Stearns' signing and her subsequent inclusion to our team is a huge deal for our program," Joffe said. "Not only is Peyton one of the top recruits in the nation, but the way she handles herself, her values and her drive embody everything that Texas Athletics is about. This young lady is cognizant that the Eyes of Texas will be on her, and she is not afraid to embrace the spotlight and go be excellent."
"I want to thank her entire family, particularly her mom (a Longhorn alumnus) and dad who have put a lot of trust in me, in our program and in our great University," Joffe continued. "I look forward to working hard with Peyton on her behalf to make her time on the Forty Acres productive, special and exciting."
Stearns has a current UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) rating of 11.79, which ranks No. 453 in the world and second nationally among players in the class of 2020. The UTR is a global tennis player rating system intended to produce an objective, consistent and accurate index of players' skill in the game of tennis.
Stearns currently holds a career-high Women's Tennis Association (WTA) singles ranking of No. 503 (Feb. 3, 2020). She achieved a career-high ITF (International Tennis Federation) junior ranking of No. 49.
Stearns advanced to the singles final at the ITF (International Tennis Federation) 25k pro circuit event in Florence, S.C., on Oct. 15-20, 2019. Her run in Florence was highlighted by a semifinal victory against current WTA No. 323 Hanna Chang (USA).
Stearns competed in all four junior grand slams in 2018, highlighted by a quarterfinal appearance in doubles at the Australian Open and a semifinal appearance in doubles at Junior Wimbledon. In 2017, Stearns captured three consecutive doubles titles at the Pan American ITF Championship in Tulsa, the Abierto Juvenil Mexicano GA in Mexico City and the Yucatan Cup in Merida, Mexico.
"I chose Texas because it felt like home to me," Stearns said. "My mom (Denise) went there as well, so I'm following a legacy. The coaches, team and facilities are amazing. And I heard everything is bigger in Texas, so that's why my forehand belongs there!"