Completed Event: Women's Tennis versus #7 Virginia on April 18, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 4
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Final
Women's Tennis
2
vs #7 Virginia
4
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Balus Moves to No. 12; Duke Ranked No. 16 Heading into NCAA Action
4/21/2026 2:10:00 PM | Women's Tennis
DURHAM, N.C. – As the Duke women's tennis team awaits the NCAA Tournament selection show, the Blue Devils moved up in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings this week to No. 16 nationally.
Duke has won six out of the last seven matches and feature an 18-7 overall ledger under the direction of head coach Jamie Ashworth. The Blue Devils are coming off advancing to the semifinals of the ACC Championships over the weekend in Cary.
Sophomore Irina Balus continues to move up the singles rankings as she is now listed at No. 12. A native of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, Balus has won five matches in a row and is 15-3 this spring in dual match action. She has logged 12 wins against ranked opponents and has a 20-8 overall record in 2025-26.
Duke freshman Aspen Schuman continues to move up in the rankings as well and is currently No. 47. She has clinched each of the last four Blue Devil wins and collected a 16-4 record this spring. A product of Menlo Park, California, Schuman has won nine out of her last 11 matches.
Liv Hovde, a sophomore from Daniel Island, South Carolina, continues to be ranked and comes in at No. 120. She owns 14 wins on the year with three of those against ranked foes.
In doubles play, Duke features three ranked tandems – Shavit Kimchi/Balus (#45), Kimchi/Hovde (#50) and Hovde/Balus (#55).
The team of Kimchi and Balus have teamed together over the last few weeks and made their debut in the rankings this week. They have registered three wins, including two against ranked opponents. Kimchi and Balus are coming off notching a 6-4 win over eighth-ranked Melodie Collard and Vivian Yang of Virginia in the ACC Championship.
The NCAA Tournament selection show will air at 4:30 p.m., Monday, April 21 live on NCAA.com.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
#GoDuke
Duke has won six out of the last seven matches and feature an 18-7 overall ledger under the direction of head coach Jamie Ashworth. The Blue Devils are coming off advancing to the semifinals of the ACC Championships over the weekend in Cary.
Sophomore Irina Balus continues to move up the singles rankings as she is now listed at No. 12. A native of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, Balus has won five matches in a row and is 15-3 this spring in dual match action. She has logged 12 wins against ranked opponents and has a 20-8 overall record in 2025-26.
Duke freshman Aspen Schuman continues to move up in the rankings as well and is currently No. 47. She has clinched each of the last four Blue Devil wins and collected a 16-4 record this spring. A product of Menlo Park, California, Schuman has won nine out of her last 11 matches.
Liv Hovde, a sophomore from Daniel Island, South Carolina, continues to be ranked and comes in at No. 120. She owns 14 wins on the year with three of those against ranked foes.
In doubles play, Duke features three ranked tandems – Shavit Kimchi/Balus (#45), Kimchi/Hovde (#50) and Hovde/Balus (#55).
The team of Kimchi and Balus have teamed together over the last few weeks and made their debut in the rankings this week. They have registered three wins, including two against ranked opponents. Kimchi and Balus are coming off notching a 6-4 win over eighth-ranked Melodie Collard and Vivian Yang of Virginia in the ACC Championship.
The NCAA Tournament selection show will air at 4:30 p.m., Monday, April 21 live on NCAA.com.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Aspen Schuman Post Match vs. South Carolina
Monday, January 26
Jamie Ashworth Post Match vs. South Carolina
Monday, January 26
Eleana Yu Post Match vs. Auburn
Saturday, May 10
Jame Ashworth Post Match vs. Auburn
Saturday, May 10
