Completed Event: Women's Tennis at #1 Auburn on May 8, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 4
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Final
Women's Tennis
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at #1 Auburn
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Photo by: Duke Athletics
Balus Earns ITA Singles All-America Accolades
5/28/2026 12:51:00 PM | Women's Tennis
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke women's tennis sophomore Irina Balus earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Singles All-America accolades this week, as announced by the organization.
Balus finished the season ranked No. 9 nationally in singles, after collecting a 22-9 overall record and 17-4 dual match ledger. She advanced to the NCAA Singles Championship Round of 16 in the fall for the second year in a row, while also earning All-ACC First Team in singles and All-ACC Second Team in doubles. Balus registered 13 singles wins against ranked opponents, including a pair of victories against the nation's No. 12 and No. 2 players.
A product of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, Balus is just the 18th Blue Devil in program history to reach the top 10 in the national rankings during her career. She is also the fourth Duke tennis player to receive All-America honors in each of her first two seasons in Durham, joining Amanda Johnson (2001, 2002), Kelly McCain (2002, 2003) and Vanessa Webb (1996, 1997).
She finished the season ranked No. 77 in doubles with Shavit Kimchi and No. 82 with Liv Hovde. Balus notched six singles wins against top-50 ranked opponents in 2025-26 and registered a 6-2 ACC ledger.
The criteria for ITA All-America singles honors include winning the ITA All-American Championship, advancing to the round of 16 at the NCAA Individual Championships or finishing in the top 20 of the final ITA Singles Rankings.
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Balus finished the season ranked No. 9 nationally in singles, after collecting a 22-9 overall record and 17-4 dual match ledger. She advanced to the NCAA Singles Championship Round of 16 in the fall for the second year in a row, while also earning All-ACC First Team in singles and All-ACC Second Team in doubles. Balus registered 13 singles wins against ranked opponents, including a pair of victories against the nation's No. 12 and No. 2 players.
A product of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, Balus is just the 18th Blue Devil in program history to reach the top 10 in the national rankings during her career. She is also the fourth Duke tennis player to receive All-America honors in each of her first two seasons in Durham, joining Amanda Johnson (2001, 2002), Kelly McCain (2002, 2003) and Vanessa Webb (1996, 1997).
She finished the season ranked No. 77 in doubles with Shavit Kimchi and No. 82 with Liv Hovde. Balus notched six singles wins against top-50 ranked opponents in 2025-26 and registered a 6-2 ACC ledger.
The criteria for ITA All-America singles honors include winning the ITA All-American Championship, advancing to the round of 16 at the NCAA Individual Championships or finishing in the top 20 of the final ITA Singles Rankings.
?
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
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