The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its final team and individual rankings for the 2024–25 season on Wednesday, with Duke women’s tennis closing the year as the No. 5 team in the country. The Blue Devils also had six players earn national singles rankings, a mark matched by only one other program.
This year marks the 17th time in program history that Duke has finished in the top five and the 14th under head coach Jamie Ashworth.
Standout Individuals Across the Roster
Duke’s nationally ranked singles players include Emma Jackson (No. 21), Irina Balus (No. 26), Eleana Yu (No. 71), Liv Hovde (No. 80), Ellie Coleman (No. 85), and Shavit Kimchi (No. 97). In doubles, the team of Balus and Coleman earned a No. 23 national ranking and finished the season as All-Americans after reaching the NCAA Doubles Championship quarterfinals.
Balus was the third-highest ranked freshman in the nation, underscoring a breakout debut season. She went 17-11 in singles, earned six wins over ranked opponents, and competed in the NCAA Singles Championship, finishing as an All-ACC Second Team selection.
Senior Emma Jackson closed her Duke career with career-highs in both singles (27) and doubles (27) wins this season. The Illinois native posted nine victories over ranked singles opponents and reached the round of 32 at the NCAA Singles Championship. She leaves with an 89-51 singles and 75-38 doubles record.
Transfer standout Eleana Yu made an immediate impact in her first season, going 19-9 in singles and earning a peak national ranking of No. 30. The Mason, Ohio native defeated four ranked players and earned a spot in the NCAA Singles Championship.
Sophomore Shavit Kimchi, from Israel, compiled a strong 21-11 singles record, going 12-2 at the No. 5 singles slot. She also reached the NCAA Singles Championship after two wins over ranked opponents.
Late signee Liv Hovde, from South Carolina, stepped up in the top spots for Duke this spring. Playing at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, she recorded six wins, including a key victory over No. 15 Thea Rabman of North Carolina. She was named to the All-ACC Third Team.
Ellie Coleman capped her collegiate career with a personal-best 26 singles wins and a No. 85 national ranking. The Michigan native posted a 19-2 dual match record, went unbeaten in ACC play (10-0), and held an 11-0 mark at the No. 6 spot. Her career totals include 83 singles and 80 doubles wins.
In doubles, Coleman and Balus shined with a 21-15 record, including six victories over ranked opponents, and secured All-America status after a deep postseason run.
Team Success on the National Stage
The Blue Devils ended the season with a 24-4 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals, solidifying their place among the nation’s top teams once again.
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