DAVIS, Calif. — As the program prepares for its first year of Mountain West competition, UC Davis women's tennis has announced its signing class for the 2026-27 season, as Ramey Yu, Elim Yan, Lyla Van Loben Sels, and Delilah Rizvi will join the blue and gold this fall.
Ramey Yu (Jr., Guangdong, China, UC Riverside)
After two years at UC Riverside, the junior from China comes to the Aggies after a Big West Honorable Mention selection back in April.
With a Highlanders team high 19 wins over the last two seasons, Yu picked up a number of big victories in 2026, starting the year 8-2 with wins against Long Beach State, Seattle, and Colorado State.
One of the highest ranked junior players out of China in the 2024 recruiting class, Yu became a highly sought after recruit after championships in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Junior Tennis Tournament and the 16th Guangdong Provincial Games.
Head Coach Sara Jackson on Yu:
"We have watched firsthand how Ramey competes at the collegiate level in singles and doubles, and we couldn't be more excited that she will be with us for the remainder of her career. She brings with her 2 years of experience playing high in the line-up, and that experience is something our young team will benefit from immediately. She is passionate about continuing to elevate the level of her game, and getting to know her throughout the recruiting process, and I am confident that she will fit into our program wonderfully."
Elim Yan (Jr., Adelaide, Australia, Tennessee)
Joining the Lady Vols after being named the 2023 South Australian U18 Player of the Year, Yan joins the blue and gold after singles and doubles victories against high level opponents Florida, Ohio State, and Texas Tech as a freshman.
In addition to her play on the court, Yan has also proven to be a force in the classroom, landing on the 2024-25 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Coach Jackson on Yan:
"I felt connected to Elim right from the start, when we had our first phone conversation during her recruitment. She is passionate about her academics as well as her tennis, a combination that fits well with how we do things at UC Davis. Elim's experience competing in the SEC conference has no doubt prepared her well for the competition we will face as we move into the Mountain West. Not only is she going to help us in singles and doubles, but she also brings with her a warm personality that her teammates are going to love."
Lyla Van Loben Sels (Sacramento, Calif., C.K. McClatchy High School)
A local product from C.K. McClatchy across the Causeway, Van Loben Sels has proven to be a top level competitor throughout her career, winning two Sac-Joaquin Section Tennis Individual Championships, proving herself among the best players in the area.
Along with her excellent play, Van Loben Sels has already given back to her community in a number of meaningful ways, serving as one of five coaches for JAMMA Sacramento, a local tennis clinic designed to help the next generation of athletes develop their game.
Jackson on Van Loben Sels:
"Lyla's hometown is Sacramento, and I couldn't be more excited that she decided to stay close to home and become an Ag. She is a top-level junior player from the NorCal section, and it feels good that she chose UC Davis and our program as her collegiate home. Lyla has excelled over the last couple years of her junior career and has a game that will translate well into college with a powerful forehand and serve. She is a person of character who has a bright future as a student and an athlete, and will no doubt be a valuable addition to our program."
Delilah Rizvi (Thousand Oaks, Calif., Westlake High School)
Coming up I-5 from Thousand Oaks, the 15th ranked player in the state of California brings a high level of excellence from the high school level, finishing her senior year being ranked as high as 70th in the nation in the 2026 recruiting class.
Landing on the Ventura All-County Girls Tennis first team in 2022, Rizvi has been a highly touted recruit since her freshman year, when she claimed Marmonte League MVP Honors with a 29-4 record, helping Westlake go undefeated in the regular season and win another league title.
The four-star recruit for the Warriors has also been dominant against fellow four stars throughout her career, going 16-3 across the last year alone.
Coach Jackson on Rizvi:
"Delilah is an exciting new addition to our team from southern California. We liked what we saw from her on the court last summer, and she has continued to improve her game since then. She will make an immediate impact as a freshman. In addition to what she will contribute on the court, Delilah is a delightful young woman who is going to be a positive addition to our team culture and to the reputation of our athletic department and university."
These future Aggies come into the program following a 12-12 record last season with an appearance in the 2026 Big West Tournament.
ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS:
UC Davis, ranked No. 2 among public universities by the Wall Street Journal in the value of a college degree, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked top in the United States in agriculture and forestry as well as No. 1 in veterinary medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.
For more information, visit
https://ucdavisaggies.com/.
