Syracuse Tennis Season Ends in ACC Tournament Loss
By Drew Albaugh | @Drew_Albaugh
With a 4–0 loss to Georgia Tech (13–11, 6–6 ACC) in the third round of the ACC Tournament, Syracuse tennis (11–11, 2–10 ACC) saw its season officially come to a close. It was a campaign full of ups and downs. Let us take a look back at how it all unfolded.
Starting with the positives, the Orange had a historic showing at the ACC Tournament, advancing to the third round for the first time in program history. That run began with a play-in win against 17th-seeded Boston College, the only team ranked lower than Syracuse. The marquee moment came the following day with a 4–3 upset over Clemson — a team Syracuse had lost to earlier in the year. In a dramatic finish, senior No. 1 Miyuka Kimoto closed out the match on a 10-point run to clinch the win for the Orange.
Seniors Miyuka Kimoto and Shiori Ito wrapped up their collegiate careers this spring. The veteran duo spent four years with Syracuse, combining for nearly 70 singles wins. This season, they set the tone for the team both on and off the court. While both started strong, they struggled during ACC play but found their rhythm again in the closing weeks. Their leadership and production will leave big shoes to fill — a challenge head coach Younes Limam is already preparing to meet.
Another bright spot for Syracuse came in nonconference play. The Orange opened the season a perfect 7–0, notching dominant victories along the way. Syracuse’s average win differential in those matches was just under five points — a level of success the team struggled to replicate once ACC play began.
That brings us to the biggest challenge of the season: conference play. Syracuse finished 2–10 in the ACC — its worst record since joining the conference more than a decade ago. Despite several close matches, the Orange couldn’t quite get over the hump. The two exceptions were 4–3 victories over Florida State and Clemson, both of which saw SU claim the doubles point, The Orange went undefeated this season when winning the opening point.
Looking ahead to next year, Coach Limam will be tasked with rebuilding without two of his most productive veterans. Syracuse will need key contributions from returning players if it hopes to improve its ACC standing.
At the top of that list is rising junior Nelly Knezkova. The Hawaii transfer began the year at No. 3 in the singles lineup but climbed as high as No. 1, typically holding down the No. 2 spot. Next season, Knezkova is likely to shoulder even more responsibility, both on the court and as a leader.
Also returning is rising senior Anastasiia Sysoeva, one of SU’s most experienced players. Entering her fourth year, Sysoeva is expected to be a key voice in the locker room and a potential X-factor for the team’s success in 2026.
Though the season ended in defeat, the Orange closed the year on a high note. While some matches didn’t fall their way, the 2025 campaign will be remembered as a season of resilience, growth, and progress.
And while the stat sheet may show an even 11–11 record, the real story lies in how this team pushed through adversity, pulled off historic wins, and gave its seniors a final run worth remembering. As the program turns the page to a new chapter, one thing is certain: Syracuse tennis continues to fight with heart, serve with purpose, and swing for something greater than the scoreboard.
