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Balus Notches Singles Win; Five Blue Devils Prepped for Main Draw
9/24/2024 8:29:00 PM | Women's Tennis
CARY, N.C. – Duke women's tennis freshman Irina Balus closed action Tuesday at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American Championship, while five other Blue Devils are set for main draw action Wednesday at the Cary Tennis Park in Cary.
Balus, a native of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, opened play in qualifying on Monday. She dropped a tight three-set match to Oklahoma State's Gracie Epps. Balus came out and won the first set, 6-4, but dropped the second, 4-6. In the third set, Epps jumped out to a 4-1 advantage, but Balus came back to even the ledger, 4-4. After winning two straight points, Balus led 6-5, but lost the next game to send the contest to a tiebreaker. Epps went on to win, 7-3, to clinch the victory.
On Tuesday in the consolation round, Balus posted a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Kristyna Lavickova.
Five Blue Devils will kick off main draw play Wednesday with the full schedule below.
Duke features five ranked singles players – Shavit Kimchi (38), Emma Jackson (41), Katie Codd (49), Ellie Coleman (53) and Eleana Yu (73). The Blue Devils doubles teams of Jackson/Yu are No. 58 and Kimchi/Coleman are No. 61. Balus also earned a No. 10 ranking in the newcomer singles ledger.
Monday, Sept. 23
Qualifying
Singles
Gracie Epps (Oklahoma State) def. Irina Balus (Duke) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
Tuesday, Sept. 24
Qualifying – Consolation
Singles
Irina Balus (Duke) def. Kristyna Lavickova (Florida State) 6-4, 6-1
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Main Draw
Singles
#41 Emma Jackson (Duke) vs. #34 Bridget Stammel (Vanderbilt) at 1 p.m.
#49 Katie Codd (Duke) vs. #118 Chloe Noel (Oklahoma) at 2 p.m.
#38 Shavit Kimchi (Duke) vs. Kate Fakih (UCLA) at 10 a.m.
#53 Ellie Coleman (Duke) vs. #20 Mia Kupres (Texas A&M) at 10 a.m.
#73 Eleana Yu (Duke) vs. Carmen Andreea Herea (Texas) at 10 a.m.
Doubles
#58 Eleana Yu/Emma Jackson (Duke) vs. #8 Aya El Sayed/Pia Rebec (Colorado) TBA
#61 Ellie Coleman/Shavit Kimchi (Duke) vs. #53 Maya Dutta/Zdena Safarova (Boise State) TBA
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
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
Balus, a native of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, opened play in qualifying on Monday. She dropped a tight three-set match to Oklahoma State's Gracie Epps. Balus came out and won the first set, 6-4, but dropped the second, 4-6. In the third set, Epps jumped out to a 4-1 advantage, but Balus came back to even the ledger, 4-4. After winning two straight points, Balus led 6-5, but lost the next game to send the contest to a tiebreaker. Epps went on to win, 7-3, to clinch the victory.
On Tuesday in the consolation round, Balus posted a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Kristyna Lavickova.
Five Blue Devils will kick off main draw play Wednesday with the full schedule below.
Duke features five ranked singles players – Shavit Kimchi (38), Emma Jackson (41), Katie Codd (49), Ellie Coleman (53) and Eleana Yu (73). The Blue Devils doubles teams of Jackson/Yu are No. 58 and Kimchi/Coleman are No. 61. Balus also earned a No. 10 ranking in the newcomer singles ledger.
Monday, Sept. 23
Qualifying
Singles
Gracie Epps (Oklahoma State) def. Irina Balus (Duke) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
Tuesday, Sept. 24
Qualifying – Consolation
Singles
Irina Balus (Duke) def. Kristyna Lavickova (Florida State) 6-4, 6-1
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Main Draw
Singles
#41 Emma Jackson (Duke) vs. #34 Bridget Stammel (Vanderbilt) at 1 p.m.
#49 Katie Codd (Duke) vs. #118 Chloe Noel (Oklahoma) at 2 p.m.
#38 Shavit Kimchi (Duke) vs. Kate Fakih (UCLA) at 10 a.m.
#53 Ellie Coleman (Duke) vs. #20 Mia Kupres (Texas A&M) at 10 a.m.
#73 Eleana Yu (Duke) vs. Carmen Andreea Herea (Texas) at 10 a.m.
Doubles
#58 Eleana Yu/Emma Jackson (Duke) vs. #8 Aya El Sayed/Pia Rebec (Colorado) TBA
#61 Ellie Coleman/Shavit Kimchi (Duke) vs. #53 Maya Dutta/Zdena Safarova (Boise State) TBA
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
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
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Eleana Yu Post Match vs. Auburn
Saturday, May 10
Jame Ashworth Post Match vs. Auburn
Saturday, May 10
Ellie Coleman Post Match vs. FAU
Saturday, May 03
Jamie Ashworth Post Match vs. FAU
Saturday, May 03
