Completed Event: Women's Tennis at #1 Auburn on May 8, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 4
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Final
Women's Tennis
2
at #1 Auburn
4
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Senior Duo Embracing Their Final Season at Duke Together
4/10/2025 2:13:00 PM | Women's Tennis
DURHAM, N.C. -- Ellie Coleman and Emma Jackson, two highly recruited athletes, are now entering their final two months of their collegiate careers at Duke, marking the end of a journey that has spanned years of friendship and tennis together.
The bond between these two goes back to when they were just 11 years old. From Michigan and Illinois, they were top junior tennis players, frequently crossing paths at tournaments. Sometimes they competed against one another and other times they teamed up as doubles partners.
Together, they achieved significant success, including winning the Midwest 14-Under Championships and the National Level II in Florida.
Though they often found themselves playing in different tournaments, their friendship remained unshaken. Eventually, they both found their way to Duke, after strengthening their bond during their training at the Evert Tennis Academy the year prior. Now, as seniors, Coleman and Jackson are facing their final season as teammates and best friends, a fitting end to a shared journey that started in their junior tennis days.
Being a college athlete is no easy feat, but for these two, having each other by their side has made it all the more memorable.
"I think it has been really special for us to get to go through it together," said Coleman. "We're always there for each other on the good days and the bad days. It's just so nice to know I have someone who's supporting me."
Four years can feel like a lifetime, yet, in hindsight, they've passed in the blink of an eye.
"We've had so much fun over the past four years," said Jackson. "And just looking back at our photos from when we were 10 years old, it's been amazing. The transformation we've had has been super special. It feels like a fever dream."
Now, in their final months at Duke, they're making the most of their last opportunity to lead the team.
"We have a very experienced team overall, with some coming from the pro world, some coming from very high-level juniors. Our goal was how do we bring those talents together as one?" Coleman stated.
As the only seniors this season and the most experienced players in the Duke setting, Coleman and Jackson have embraced the chance to guide the younger athletes, teaching them the importance of teamwork in a sport that is often seen as highly individual. Their efforts are paying off, as the team has shown great progress and success this spring.
"Us being the oldest is kind of rare nowadays, with the transfer portal and everything," said Jackson. "Being able to start from the bottom and work our way up has been super nice, because the younger athletes on the team haven't had the experience of being other places or seeing other teams."
Teaching the younger players the "Duke way" has been as rewarding for the Blue Devil duo as it has been for the team. Watching the younger athletes grow and leading them through a season of success, has been a fulfilling and full-circle experience.
"There is so much drive and passion and desire to do well to achieve the goals that we have set," said Coleman. "I think that has been really helpful."
One of the most significant moments of their senior year so far, came when the team defeated North Carolina (4-2), a redemption after a tough loss to their rivals the previous season.
"I was thinking about that moment for a long time, as soon as we saw it on the schedule and knew it was going to be away," said Jackson. "And even after losing last year, I just always wanted to get back after them. I think that came with all of the work we put in."
While the win against Carolina is a highlight of the season, it's not the end of the road for this talented duo. With momentum and confidence propelling them forward, this team has the potential to accomplish even greater things, and Ellie and Emma are determined to make the most of their final season together.
Looking back on their four years at Duke, the bittersweetness of the moment is hard to ignore, but it doesn't stop here for them.
Jackson's aspirations post-graduation is clear: she dreams of playing on the professional tour, a goal she's harbored since she was younger. Coleman shares a similar dream and the two are ready to take the next step in their careers.
"These four years here have been amazing, I don't think I ever could have expected what I've gained out of this," said Coleman. "More so than just the tennis, but the friends, the memories, the connections, and the education that I've gotten. It's really unmatched."
"Everything that we've gained from Duke has been like a lifelong dream - that anyone should wish for," said Jackson. "It's a great place to be and we're just super lucky to have gotten the experiences we have out of these four years."
As their time at Duke winds down, it's evident that the bond between Coleman and Jackson has been more than just a friendship. It has been a shared dream, one that began on the tennis courts as young girls and has now reached the pinnacle of their college careers. Their journey together is far from over, but the memories they've made at Duke will last a lifetime.
"Emma and Ellie have meant so much to our program over the last four years," said Duke head coach Jamie Ashworth. "Both have given their heart and soul to everything Duke and Duke tennis and I couldn't have asked for more."
Duke's senior tandem have led the Blue Devils to an 18-2 overall and 10-0 ACC ledger and a No. 3 overall ranking heading into the final regular season weekend. They have combined for a 16-2 ACC singles record. Over their career, Coleman and Jackson have totaled 25 ACC singles wins, which ranks tied for 19th on Duke's all-time record charts. Recently Jackson earned her highest career singles ranking of No. 20 and Coleman just moved up to No. 118 overall as well.
The Blue Devil duo will celebrate senior day Sunday, April 13 as third-ranked Duke hosts Miami at 11 a.m., inside Ambler Tennis Stadium. With two wins this weekend, Duke could win the ACC regular season title outright, which would mark the 22nd time in program history and the first since 2018.
Coleman, Jackson and the Blue Devil squad will then open postseason action the following week for the ACC Championship, which will hopefully be the start of a long postseason run to close their careers.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
#GoDuke
The bond between these two goes back to when they were just 11 years old. From Michigan and Illinois, they were top junior tennis players, frequently crossing paths at tournaments. Sometimes they competed against one another and other times they teamed up as doubles partners.
Together, they achieved significant success, including winning the Midwest 14-Under Championships and the National Level II in Florida.
Though they often found themselves playing in different tournaments, their friendship remained unshaken. Eventually, they both found their way to Duke, after strengthening their bond during their training at the Evert Tennis Academy the year prior. Now, as seniors, Coleman and Jackson are facing their final season as teammates and best friends, a fitting end to a shared journey that started in their junior tennis days.
Being a college athlete is no easy feat, but for these two, having each other by their side has made it all the more memorable.
"I think it has been really special for us to get to go through it together," said Coleman. "We're always there for each other on the good days and the bad days. It's just so nice to know I have someone who's supporting me."
Four years can feel like a lifetime, yet, in hindsight, they've passed in the blink of an eye.
"We've had so much fun over the past four years," said Jackson. "And just looking back at our photos from when we were 10 years old, it's been amazing. The transformation we've had has been super special. It feels like a fever dream."
Now, in their final months at Duke, they're making the most of their last opportunity to lead the team.
"We have a very experienced team overall, with some coming from the pro world, some coming from very high-level juniors. Our goal was how do we bring those talents together as one?" Coleman stated.
As the only seniors this season and the most experienced players in the Duke setting, Coleman and Jackson have embraced the chance to guide the younger athletes, teaching them the importance of teamwork in a sport that is often seen as highly individual. Their efforts are paying off, as the team has shown great progress and success this spring.
"Us being the oldest is kind of rare nowadays, with the transfer portal and everything," said Jackson. "Being able to start from the bottom and work our way up has been super nice, because the younger athletes on the team haven't had the experience of being other places or seeing other teams."
Teaching the younger players the "Duke way" has been as rewarding for the Blue Devil duo as it has been for the team. Watching the younger athletes grow and leading them through a season of success, has been a fulfilling and full-circle experience.
"There is so much drive and passion and desire to do well to achieve the goals that we have set," said Coleman. "I think that has been really helpful."
One of the most significant moments of their senior year so far, came when the team defeated North Carolina (4-2), a redemption after a tough loss to their rivals the previous season.
"I was thinking about that moment for a long time, as soon as we saw it on the schedule and knew it was going to be away," said Jackson. "And even after losing last year, I just always wanted to get back after them. I think that came with all of the work we put in."
While the win against Carolina is a highlight of the season, it's not the end of the road for this talented duo. With momentum and confidence propelling them forward, this team has the potential to accomplish even greater things, and Ellie and Emma are determined to make the most of their final season together.
Looking back on their four years at Duke, the bittersweetness of the moment is hard to ignore, but it doesn't stop here for them.
Jackson's aspirations post-graduation is clear: she dreams of playing on the professional tour, a goal she's harbored since she was younger. Coleman shares a similar dream and the two are ready to take the next step in their careers.
"These four years here have been amazing, I don't think I ever could have expected what I've gained out of this," said Coleman. "More so than just the tennis, but the friends, the memories, the connections, and the education that I've gotten. It's really unmatched."
"Everything that we've gained from Duke has been like a lifelong dream - that anyone should wish for," said Jackson. "It's a great place to be and we're just super lucky to have gotten the experiences we have out of these four years."
As their time at Duke winds down, it's evident that the bond between Coleman and Jackson has been more than just a friendship. It has been a shared dream, one that began on the tennis courts as young girls and has now reached the pinnacle of their college careers. Their journey together is far from over, but the memories they've made at Duke will last a lifetime.
"Emma and Ellie have meant so much to our program over the last four years," said Duke head coach Jamie Ashworth. "Both have given their heart and soul to everything Duke and Duke tennis and I couldn't have asked for more."
Duke's senior tandem have led the Blue Devils to an 18-2 overall and 10-0 ACC ledger and a No. 3 overall ranking heading into the final regular season weekend. They have combined for a 16-2 ACC singles record. Over their career, Coleman and Jackson have totaled 25 ACC singles wins, which ranks tied for 19th on Duke's all-time record charts. Recently Jackson earned her highest career singles ranking of No. 20 and Coleman just moved up to No. 118 overall as well.
The Blue Devil duo will celebrate senior day Sunday, April 13 as third-ranked Duke hosts Miami at 11 a.m., inside Ambler Tennis Stadium. With two wins this weekend, Duke could win the ACC regular season title outright, which would mark the 22nd time in program history and the first since 2018.
Coleman, Jackson and the Blue Devil squad will then open postseason action the following week for the ACC Championship, which will hopefully be the start of a long postseason run to close their careers.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
#GoDuke
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