GILBERT, Ariz.— The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) updated its NAIA Women's Singles Rankings last week, and for the first time in her career, Chiharu Ito stood among those receiving national recognition. Ito appeared at No. 37 in the poll, marking the first national ranking for a Montreat women's tennis player since spring of 2022.
 
This spring, Ito owns a 5-4 record in singles play. Four of those five wins have come in the top singles matchup, while the other triumph came from playing on the No. 2 singles court. Ito is 3-1 against Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) foes, and she also owns a pair of victories against NCAA Division II competition.
 
A participant in doubles action as well, Ito and her teammate, Ainhoa Ordonez, have played exclusively on the top court. The Cavalier tandem possesses wins over opposition from Belmont Abbey College and Johnson University.
 
For a look at the full ITA NAIA Women's Singles Rankings, click here.
 
Ito and the Montreat women's tennis team travel to Columbia, S.C. today for a conference clash at Columbia College. First serves are scheduled for 2 p.m.