Syracuse Tennis Rest-of-Season Predictions: Part One
By Drew Albaugh | @Drew_Albaugh
Just under three weeks into the season, Syracuse tennis is an undefeated 6-0—something all Orange fans can surely get behind. But what does the rest of the season have in store? With the heart of the schedule around the corner, it’s time to predict the rest of SU’s season.
Game 7: Columbia, Feb. 16, Drumlins Country Club
Although Syracuse has already played one ACC game against Boston College, ending in a 5-2 win, the ‘Cuse still has one last nonconference opponent in Columbia. The Lions are sure to put up a fight in the 315. Columbia is 5-3 on the year, recently falling to Yale 4-2 in the ECAC championship. The Lions are led by freshman Malak El Allami. The Moroccan plays at the No. 1 spot for Columbia and is sure to cause trouble on the court against whoever Syracuse head coach Younes Limam decides to spearhead the SU attack this Sunday. This won’t be easy for the Orange and could go either way, but SU’s experience, momentum and home-court advantage should help them squeak out their closest victory of the season, 4-3. Season record: 7-0, 1-0 ACC.
Game 8: No. 8 North Carolina, Feb. 21, Drumlins Country Club
You know how I was talking about the heart of ACC play? Well, here it begins against the formidable UNC Tar Heels. No. 8 North Carolina is 7-3 on the year, recently suffering back-to-back losses against No. 5 Virginia and No. 10 Auburn. This certainly is not the strongest Tar Heel team, but the fifth-ranked duo of Carson Tanguilig and Susanna Maltby will be too much for the Orange to grab the pivotal doubles point. From there, it will be all UNC. North Carolina walks into Drumlins and hands Syracuse its first loss of the season, 6-1, maintaining a perfect 15-0 all-time record against the ‘Cuse. Season record: 7-1, 1-1 ACC.
Game 9: No. 9 Duke, Feb. 23, Drumlins Country Club
Talk about a tough stretch. Syracuse finishes its bout with North Carolina just to face off with No. 9 Duke. The Blue Devils have gotten off to a blistering 5-1 start, led by freshman Irina Balus. The Slovakian recently beat the No. 1 for fifth-ranked Virginia with ease, 6-4, 6-1. Expect similar domination in all facets from Duke here in Central New York. The Blue Devils trounce the Orange 7-0 in a match SU will likely try to forget. Season record: 7-2, 1-2 ACC.
Game 10: Miami, Feb. 28, Drumlins Country Club
The homestand continues with a duel against the Hurricanes. Miami, historically a top-10 all-time team in NCAA Team Championship finals berths (two), Elite Eight trips (12), Sweet 16 berths (25), wins (60) and appearances (39), has had a rough 0-4 start to the season. The Hurricanes’ closest match was a 4-3 loss to rival No. 25 FIU. With Miami playing just once in February before facing SU, the Orange should be in midseason form and win a tight one, 4-3, for their second win over the Hurricanes in the last three years. Season record: 8-2, 2-2 ACC.
Game 11: Florida State, March 2, Drumlins Country Club
Does this team ever go on the road? SU continues its five-game homestand with a battle against FSU. The Seminoles are 5-1 on the year, with their only loss a narrow 4-3 defeat to No. 23 UCF. On the flip side, Florida State has not played the toughest opponents up to this point. In fact, the Seminoles do not face an ACC opponent until late February against Boston College. FSU is led by No. 119 freshman Mary Boyce Deatherage, a hard-hitting, athletic player who has climbed up the ranks as the season has progressed. Still, it won’t be enough to get past an SU squad fighting through the toughest part of its schedule. I see this one coming down to the doubles point, something the Orange are currently 5-1 in this year. The ‘Cuse take it 4-3 in a match that could go either way. Season record: 9-2, 3-2 ACC.
Game 12: No. 4 Stanford, March 7, Away
The homestand finally ends in a big way with a cross-country trip to Northern California. No. 4 Stanford is a formidable opponent, but the Cardinal has struggled compared to expectations with a 4-2 record to open the year. However, by this point in the season, I expect Stanford to get back on track and play like the top-five team they are. The 1-6 for Stanford is up there with the best of them, and ultimately, despite giving the Cardinal a little bit of a fight, the Orange lose 6-1, failing to pick up a marquee win in the Golden State. Season record: 9-3, 3-3 ACC.
Game 13: No. 18 Cal, March 8, Away
SU gets its money’s worth with its second game in two days, this time against No. 18 Cal. The Golden Bears have yet to show much this season, holding a 1-2 record, with the two losses coming against ranked opponents No. 6 UCLA and No. 12 Oklahoma. The Golden Bears may not be as talented as in the recent past, but they still run out a skilled squad headlined by senior Katja Wirsholm. The West Coast native holds an ITF World Tennis Number of 12 and was ranked as the 65th-best singles player at the conclusion of last season. This will be a tough test for the Orange, but in a year where Cal has slightly regressed and SU is playing its best tennis, the game is as much of a coin flip as any duel this season. However, in a season where a lot of coin flips have gone the Orange’s way, I think the luck finally runs out against Cal in a 4-3 loss. Season record: 9-4, 3-4 ACC.
Part two of the season prediction will be released next Tuesday. For consistent season updates on all things Syracuse tennis, follow me on X @Drew_Albaugh and CitrusTV on YouTube.
