Ekanterina Khairutdinova named SEC Newcomer of the Year

Auburn women’s tennis senior Ekaterina Khairutdinova was named SEC Newcomer of the Year by the league offices on Wednesday, Apr. 22.

The senior has recorded a 16-6 dual-match singles record, mainly playing the No. 2 court for the Tigers this season. Four of those singles wins were ranked victories. Her best performance was a straight-set win over ITA No. 12 Anastasia Abbaganato of Texas. Khairutdinova also collected 26 wins with her doubles partner, Ashton Bowers, at the No. 3 court this season.

She currently sits at the No. 31 spot in the latest ITA singles rankings. Khairutdinova has added multiple season awards in her time playing collegiate tennis, including being named two Conference USA Player of the Year honors, two first-team singles All-Conference USA honors, and two first-team doubles All-Conference USA honors, all in her time before Auburn at Florida International University.

The Tigers now await the Women’s Tennis National Championship, with the first round to begin on May 1. The semi-finals and championship rounds are set to take place on May 16-17 at Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Georgia.

Dominating her 🆕 conference 👊

Ekaterina Khairutdinova has been named @SEC Newcomer of the Year! 🏆#WarEaglepic.twitter.com/3MTxDcZOIu

— Auburn Women’s Tennis (@AuburnWTennis) April 22, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn women’s tennis No. 2 singles named SEC Newcomer of the Year