Providence, R.I.—Rhode Island College sophomore Arianna De Thomas (Providence, R.I.) was named the 2026 United States Tennis Association's (USTA) Jill Craybas Award recipient for her performance during the 2026 season.
 
The annual award goes to the top female college player who graduated from a Rhode Island secondary school and played for their school team. They do not necessarily need to play at an in-state college. De Thomas will be presented with her award at The Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Wednesday, July 8.
 
De Thomas is the third Anchorwoman ever to receive this award. Jenna Lisi '23 won it four times (2020-23) and Athletic Hall of Famer Sadie Campanella '17 received it in 2016.
 
She was named First Team All-Little East in singles and Second Team All-Little East in doubles. De Thomas finished the season with a 13-3 record at No. 1 singles and a 15-2 mark at No. 2 doubles.
 
ABOUT THE AWARD
JILL CRAYBAS – A native of East Greenwich, Craybas is the most successful tennis player in Rhode Island history. She was a RIISL high school state singles champion for the Lincoln School and captured the 1996 NCAA singles championship for the University of Florida, when she was the National College Player of the Year. She is the only player in NCAA history to be a member of Division I championship teams at two different schools (Texas and Florida). A two-time SEC Player of the Year, she finished her college career with a 124-18 record. A Florida Gator Hall of Famer, she played nearly 20 years on the WTA Tour. She won the 2002 Japan Open and five doubles titles on the main tour. She was ranked as high as #3 in the US and #41 in the world. A regular for the US Fed Cup team. Her most notable result came at Wimbledon in 2005, where she defeated Serena Williams and Marion Bartoli.
 
AWARD RECIPIENTS
2026 - Arianna De Thomas (Providence, R.I.), Rhode Island College
2025 – Erin McCusker (Norton, Mass. / La Salle), Vassar College
2024 – Erin McCusker (Norton, Mass. / La Salle), Vassar College
2023 – Jenna Lisi (Cranston, R.I.), Rhode Island College
2022 – Jenna Lisi (Cranston, R.I.), Rhode Island College
2021 – Jenna Lisi (Cranston, R.I.), Rhode Island College
2020 – Jenna Lisi (Cranston, R.I.), Rhode Island College
2019 – Julia Pezzuco (Johnston, R.I.), Western Carolina University
2018 – Natalia Pezzuco (Johnston, R.I.), Union College
2017 – Evelyn Miller (Smithfield, R.I.), Colby-Sawyer
2016 – Sadie Campanella (Chepachet, R.I.), Rhode Island College
2015 – Rebecca Curran (Rumford, R.I.), Williams College
 
USTA RHODE ISLAND is the governing body of tennis in the state, and one of seven state associations that make up USTA New England, one of 17 sections in the country. Its mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis in the Ocean State. USTARhodeIsland.net.