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Duke Duo of Balus & Coleman Advance to NCAA Doubles Quarterfinals
11/21/2024 5:19:00 PM | Women's Tennis
WACO, Texas – Duke's doubles duo of Irina Balus and Ellie Coleman moved on to the quarterfinals Thursday of the NCAA Women's Tennis Doubles Championship at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco.Â
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Balus and Coleman went up against 20th-ranked Lily Fairclough and Grace Piper of Southern California and never trailed in the two-set battle. In the first set, the Blue Devils didn't led by more than a game until the end when the Blue Devils held serve to go ahead, 6-5, and then broke USC without losing a point to win, 7-5.Â
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The second set was once again very tight with four straight deuce points, after Duke took a 1-0 advantage. The Blue Devils led 3-1, but the Trojans broke Duke's serve and held serve to even the score, 3-3. Duke regained control winning the next three games to clinch the match, 6-3.Â
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Balus and Coleman improved to 9-1 on the year and will face Florida's Rachel Gailis and Alicia Dudeney on Friday for a chance to move on to the semifinals.Â
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The Duke tandem are the first doubles team for Duke to move on to the quarterfinals since Ellyse Hamlin and Kaitlyn McCarthy in 2018. Overall, Balus and Coleman are the 11th doubles team in program history to reach the quarterfinals at the NCAA Doubles Championship.Â
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All matches will be streamed on ESPN+ with Cracked Racquets doing the broadcasts.Â
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To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN". Â
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Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
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Nov. 21 Results
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Doubles – Round of 16
Irina Balus/Ellie Coleman (Duke) def. #20 Lily Fairclough/Grace Piper (Southern California)Â 7-5, 6-3
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Nov. 22 Schedule
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Doubles – Quarterfinals
Irina Balus/Ellie Coleman (Duke) vs. Rachel Gailis/Alicia Dudeney (Florida)
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Balus and Coleman went up against 20th-ranked Lily Fairclough and Grace Piper of Southern California and never trailed in the two-set battle. In the first set, the Blue Devils didn't led by more than a game until the end when the Blue Devils held serve to go ahead, 6-5, and then broke USC without losing a point to win, 7-5.Â
Â
The second set was once again very tight with four straight deuce points, after Duke took a 1-0 advantage. The Blue Devils led 3-1, but the Trojans broke Duke's serve and held serve to even the score, 3-3. Duke regained control winning the next three games to clinch the match, 6-3.Â
Â
Balus and Coleman improved to 9-1 on the year and will face Florida's Rachel Gailis and Alicia Dudeney on Friday for a chance to move on to the semifinals.Â
Â
The Duke tandem are the first doubles team for Duke to move on to the quarterfinals since Ellyse Hamlin and Kaitlyn McCarthy in 2018. Overall, Balus and Coleman are the 11th doubles team in program history to reach the quarterfinals at the NCAA Doubles Championship.Â
Â
All matches will be streamed on ESPN+ with Cracked Racquets doing the broadcasts.Â
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN". Â
Â
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Â
Nov. 21 Results
Â
Doubles – Round of 16
Irina Balus/Ellie Coleman (Duke) def. #20 Lily Fairclough/Grace Piper (Southern California)Â 7-5, 6-3
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Nov. 22 Schedule
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Doubles – Quarterfinals
Irina Balus/Ellie Coleman (Duke) vs. Rachel Gailis/Alicia Dudeney (Florida)
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Tennis
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