DURHAM, N.C. — On a sun-splashed afternoon in Durham, the echoes of cheers and the crack of tennis balls reverberated across Ambler Tennis Stadium as Duke Women’s Tennis wrote the latest chapter of its illustrious legacy. The Blue Devils defeated a formidable North Carolina team 4-3 in a nail-biting contest to clinch the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Regular Season Championship. The win wasn’t just another tally in the win column—it came on Senior Day, making the moment even more poignant for a program steeped in both excellence and tradition.
With this victory, Duke not only secured the top seed for the upcoming ACC Tournament but also reaffirmed its status as one of the premier collegiate tennis programs in the nation. For the seniors—whose careers have been defined by resilience, leadership, and success—it was a storybook ending to their regular season journey on home courts.
The Setting: Senior Day With Championship Stakes
From the moment warm-ups began, the energy at Ambler Tennis Stadium was electric. Banners of Duke legends waved gently in the breeze. Families of the seniors filled the stands. Blue-and-white face paint adorned students who came out in droves. But there was an edge in the air—because this wasn’t just about honoring the seniors. This was a winner-takes-all match against archrival North Carolina, with the ACC title hanging in the balance.
Both teams entered the contest tied atop the ACC standings at 12-1. The matchup was as even as it gets—two powerhouse programs with a long and storied rivalry, each led by a mix of experienced veterans and rising stars. But for Duke, the timing was poetic. To win the conference crown on Senior Day, in front of a loyal home crowd, against UNC—it was the kind of scenario athletes dream about.
Doubles Dominance Sets the Tone
Duke set the tone early with a dazzling display of doubles tennis. Head Coach Jamie Ashworth, who has led the Blue Devils since 1997, emphasized the importance of capturing the doubles point all week. His team delivered.
On Court 1, the pairing of Georgia Drummy and Emma Jackson—both seniors—played with fluid chemistry, precision volleys, and high-percentage returns to secure a 6-3 victory over UNC’s top duo. Drummy, known for her fiery competitiveness, pumped her fist toward the crowd after a backhand winner down the line gave Duke the final break they needed.
Meanwhile, on Court 3, the underclassmen combo of Anya Muravnik and Isabelle Yu came back from an early break down to win 7-5, clinching the doubles point and sending a message that Duke came to play.
Securing that crucial point gave the Blue Devils a 1-0 advantage heading into singles, and with confidence surging, the momentum was firmly in Duke’s favor.
Singles Drama Unfolds in Classic Rivalry Fashion
But nothing comes easy when Duke and North Carolina collide, and singles play proved just that.
UNC responded quickly, tying the match at 1-1 with a straight-set win at No. 6 singles, where their freshman standout Lauren Zhang defeated Duke’s Victoria Lacy 6-2, 6-3.
Duke answered with a gutsy performance from Chloe Beck at the No. 2 spot. Beck, a senior and All-ACC honoree, has built a reputation for thriving under pressure. On Senior Day, she turned in one of her finest performances, outlasting UNC’s Sara McClure 7-5, 6-4 with a mix of aggressive baseline play and composed shot-making.
With the score at 2-1 Duke, all eyes shifted to Courts 1, 3, 4, and 5, where a war of attrition was underway.
Court 1 featured a heavyweight battle between Duke’s Georgia Drummy and UNC’s top-ranked ace, Emily Perez, a projected top-5 pick in the upcoming pro draft. The match stretched over two hours and 45 minutes, with both players pushing each other to the brink. Drummy, fueled by the crowd and her final home match, roared back from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3, lifting Duke to a 3-1 lead and inching them closer to the championship.
But UNC wasn’t done. The Tar Heels dug deep and took matches on Courts 3 and 4 to even the score at 3-3. It all came down to Isabelle Yu, the sophomore sensation, playing at No. 5.
Yu Seals the Crown in Storybook Fashion
With the match tied 3-3, the season, the championship, and the legacy of the 2025 Blue Devils rested on the shoulders of 19-year-old Isabelle Yu. Her opponent, UNC’s Natalie Ramos, was a veteran player with nerves of steel.
The deciding set was a microcosm of the entire match—tense, emotional, and fiercely contested. With each point, the crowd rose and fell, holding their breath with every rally.
Yu broke serve to go up 5-4 and served for the match. On her second match point, after a 23-shot rally that saw both players cover every inch of the court, Yu ripped a forehand cross-court that landed just inside the line. The stadium erupted.
Duke had done it.
Final score: Duke 4, North Carolina 3.
Senior Class Leaves With Their Legacy Cemented
After the match, an emotional ceremony honored Duke’s five seniors: Georgia Drummy, Chloe Beck, Emma Jackson, Victoria Lacy, and Tessa Simmons. Each player received flowers and personalized messages from teammates, as tears flowed and hugs were shared.
“These girls mean everything to this program,” Coach Ashworth said. “They’ve battled through COVID, injuries, tough losses—and today, they showed the heart of champions. To win the ACC title on their Senior Day? It doesn’t get more special than that.”
Indeed, the senior class departs with multiple ACC titles, deep NCAA Tournament runs, and a legacy of leadership. But perhaps their most enduring impact is the culture they leave behind—a relentless work ethic, unselfish team-first mindset, and unwavering belief in one another.
Coach Jamie Ashworth’s Vision Comes Full Circle
For Head Coach Jamie Ashworth, this moment was deeply personal. In his 28th season at the helm, Ashworth has overseen Duke’s rise to national prominence, including a national title in 2009 and multiple Final Four appearances. But this year’s group held a special place in his heart.
“This team has fought for every inch,” Ashworth said. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but they trusted the process. I’m proud of every player in that locker room.”
Ashworth also credited the program’s support staff, trainers, and administration for creating a championship environment. “It takes a village,” he said. “And our Duke family is as strong as ever.”
Looking Ahead: NCAA Tournament Dreams
While the ACC crown is a monumental accomplishment, the Blue Devils know the journey isn’t over.
Duke enters the ACC Tournament as the No. 1 seed and is expected to be a top-four national seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, which begins in early May. With depth across the lineup and big-match experience, the Blue Devils are legitimate contenders for the national title.
Sophomore Isabelle Yu has blossomed into a clutch performer, juniors like Muravnik and Lexi Tso add balance and firepower, and the senior leaders continue to inspire belief.
“This is a special group,” Ashworth said. “We’re not done yet. But today, we’re going to enjoy this moment.”
Fans and Alumni Celebrate a Historic Day
As students stormed the court in celebration, alumni from around the country took to social media to praise the team’s accomplishment. Messages poured in from former Duke stars like Rachel Kahan, Meghan McCarthy, and Kaitlyn McCarthy, all of whom helped build the foundation for today’s success.
The official Duke Women’s Tennis Twitter account posted a photo of the team hoisting the ACC trophy with the caption:
“ACC CHAMPS. SENIOR DAY PERFECTION. HISTORY MADE. #GoDuke ”
ESPN’s college tennis analyst Alex Flanagan also praised the Blue Devils on-air, calling the win “one of the gutsiest team efforts in recent ACC history.”
Final Thoughts: A Season—and a Day—to Remember
The 2025 Duke Women’s Tennis team has etched its name into the history books, not just for their wins, but for the spirit in which they achieved them. This Senior Day triumph was more than a victory—it was a celebration of commitment, a validation of hard work, and a testament to what makes Duke athletics so special.
As the sun set over Durham and the trophy gleamed in the fading light, one could sense that this moment would be remembered for decades. For the seniors, it was the perfect farewell. For the underclassmen, it was inspiration. For the fans, it was pure joy.