Two-Thirds of the Season Grades for Syracuse Tennis

Photo Credit: SU Athletics

Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025 at 1:31 pm by Sports Editor

Syracuse tennis (8-5, 1-5 ACC) is already into the final third of its season. With just six matches remaining before a potential ACC tournament appearance, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate player, coach, and team performances ahead of the final stretch.

Miyuka Kimoto — No. 1

Senior Miyuka Kimoto is in her fourth year with Syracuse and has had a turbulent season thus far. The former No. 1 Japanese high school player started the season 4-0 but has struggled recently, losing her last four matches. Overall, Kimoto is 5-5 in singles play and 6-5 in doubles.

The senior dealt with an arm injury and a hamstring strain that sidelined her for a few matches early in the season but has since been rock solid for the Orange. Despite playing at the No. 1 spot and securing a top-10 win over Duke’s Irina Balus, Kimoto has faltered as of late, failing to win a single set in almost a month.

Grade: B-

Nelly Knezkova — No. 2

Sophomore Nelly Knezkova joined the Orange after transferring from Hawai‘i. She is 8-3 in singles play and 6-5 in doubles action.

Knezkova has quickly become SU’s workhorse, always taking opponents deep into sets and never shying away from big moments. Her standout performance came against Florida State in SU’s lone ACC victory. With the match tied at 3-3, Knezkova was down in the deciding set before digging in and defeating Millie Bissett in a wild marathon match. Her consistency and relentlessness at the No. 2 spot have been crucial for SU this season.

Grade: A

Anastasia Sysoeva — No. 3

Junior Anastasia Sysoeva has played the majority of her season at the No. 3 spot. The Florida transfer has struggled in singles play, going just 2-9, but has found more success in doubles with a 7-6 record.

However, Sysoeva’s singles struggles are difficult to overlook—she is just 1-4 in third sets. While she is a clear leader for the Orange, results speak for themselves.

Grade: C

Shiori Ito — No. 4

In her fourth year with the Orange, Shiori Ito has played in nearly every position except No. 1. She has thrived in this Swiss Army knife role, compiling a 7-5 singles record.

A defining stretch of Ito’s senior season came against Miami and Florida State, where she played eight sets and nearly eight hours of tennis over three days. She finished 0-2 in singles play, losing both matches in narrow third sets. Even so, she has shown her veteran presence, and her results have been more than satisfactory.

Grade: B

Serafima Shastova — No. 5

Sophomore Serafima Shastova joined SU after earning ASUN Freshman of the Year and ASUN All-Freshman Team honors at Jacksonville State. She has lived up to expectations at the No. 5 spot, posting a 7-2 singles record, including wins over three ACC opponents.

Her doubles play has been just as strong, with an 8-3 record. While not perfect, her poise and confidence in her first year with SU have been undeniable.

Grade: A-

Monika Wojcik — No. 6

Freshman Monika Wojcik has thrived in her first year with the Orange, boasting a 9-2 singles record. When SU has struggled, Wojcik has stepped up—she is currently on a three-match winning streak, with one match left undecided.

She has also been solid in doubles, posting an 8-4 record. While it’s worth noting her placement at the No. 6 spot, the saying goes: don’t hate the player, hate the game—and Wojcik has flourished.

Grade: A

Constance Levivier

Junior Constance Levivier has primarily played doubles for the Orange, appearing in the last three doubles matches. She has a 2-4 doubles record and a 4-1 singles record, though she has yet to play in an ACC singles match.

Though her sample size is small, she has been a solid contributor.

Grade: B

Haram Kim

The freshman has played in just two matches this season, both early in the year. She won both, but with such a limited sample size, it’s difficult to assign a grade.

Grade: N/A

Season Grade

Overall, Syracuse has held its own in ACC play—aside from its 0-2 trip to California—but has failed to capitalize on close matches. The talent is there, but the team has yet to fully click at the right time.

With a 1-5 ACC record, there’s still work to be done, but SU has time to turn things around.

Grade: B-

Next Up

Syracuse ends its break with a matchup against Georgia Tech (7-7, 2-3 ACC) on Friday.

Follow @Drew_Albaugh on X and Citrus TV on YouTube for match updates.