Syracuse Extends Contract for Tennis Coach Younes Limam
8/1/2018 10:20:00 AM | Tennis
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University and tennis head coach Younes Limam have agreed to a long-term contract extension, according to Director of Athletics John Wildhack.
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics John Wildhack and Associate Athletic Director Mark Wheeler for their continued belief in the direction of Syracuse Tennis," Limam said. "I feel the best is yet to come and I am grateful for the opportunity to carry on the tradition of academic and athletic greatness that is Syracuse Tennis."
Syracuse tennis has emerged as one of the top programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and became a national player in the Division I ranks under Limam's leadership. In just four seasons, Limam has tallied 48 wins and taken the Orange to their first two NCAA Tournaments in program history. He has coached four All-ACC team members and a pair of All-Americans.
With Limam at the helm, the Orange have also displayed excellence off the court, earning Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic Team honors for the 2015-16 and 2017-18 academic years – the only two times in program history. The ITA All-Academic Team award is open to any ITA program that has a cumulative team grade-point average of 3.2 or above (on a 4.0 scale).
Four student-athletes were recognized as ITA Scholar-Athletes for the 2018 season. In order to earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status, a player must be a varsity letterwinner, have a grade-point average of at least 3.5 for the current academic year and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters.
"Coach Limam has built a women's tennis program with which we are all very proud of," Wildhack said. "He has recruited and developed student-athletes who are committed to reaching their full potential on the court as well as in the classroom. With this contract extension for Coach Limam, the University has solidified the future of women's tennis at Syracuse."
Limam, a native of Mohammedia, Morocco, came to Syracuse in June of 2014 after serving as an assistant coach at Rice University for five seasons. Following an 8-13 first season, Limam led the Orange to a 15-9 record in year two, guiding the team to a program-best No. 24 ranking and its first-ever appearance and win in the NCAA Tournament.
In 2017, then-freshman Miranda Ramirez thrived under Limam's tutelage, finishing the campaign with a 15-6 singles record and claiming All-ACC Second Team honors.
During the 2018 campaign, Limam coached the doubles pair of junior Gabriela Knutson and Ramirez to a No. 8 ranking and All-America status, helping them become the first Orange student-athletes to earn the honor since Erica O'Neill in 1995. Knutson also clinched All-America status in singles, finishing the season with a 21-5 singles record and No. 8 ranking.
Limam and the Orange's run ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but not before the team put together one of the most impressive seasons in program history. After beginning the season unranked, Syracuse finished 2018 with a 17-8 record and earned a season-best No. 25 ranking – the second time in program history that the Orange cracked the Oracle/ITA Top-25 Poll.
Syracuse returns Knutson and Ramirez in 2019, as well as rising junior Dina Hegab and rising sophomore Sofya Golubovskaya, who notched 13 and 12 singles wins, respectively, last season.
For complete coverage of Syracuse tennis, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Women's Tennis), Twitter (@Cuse_Tennis) and Instagram (@CuseTennis).
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics John Wildhack and Associate Athletic Director Mark Wheeler for their continued belief in the direction of Syracuse Tennis," Limam said. "I feel the best is yet to come and I am grateful for the opportunity to carry on the tradition of academic and athletic greatness that is Syracuse Tennis."
Syracuse tennis has emerged as one of the top programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and became a national player in the Division I ranks under Limam's leadership. In just four seasons, Limam has tallied 48 wins and taken the Orange to their first two NCAA Tournaments in program history. He has coached four All-ACC team members and a pair of All-Americans.
With Limam at the helm, the Orange have also displayed excellence off the court, earning Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic Team honors for the 2015-16 and 2017-18 academic years – the only two times in program history. The ITA All-Academic Team award is open to any ITA program that has a cumulative team grade-point average of 3.2 or above (on a 4.0 scale).
Four student-athletes were recognized as ITA Scholar-Athletes for the 2018 season. In order to earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status, a player must be a varsity letterwinner, have a grade-point average of at least 3.5 for the current academic year and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters.
"Coach Limam has built a women's tennis program with which we are all very proud of," Wildhack said. "He has recruited and developed student-athletes who are committed to reaching their full potential on the court as well as in the classroom. With this contract extension for Coach Limam, the University has solidified the future of women's tennis at Syracuse."
Limam, a native of Mohammedia, Morocco, came to Syracuse in June of 2014 after serving as an assistant coach at Rice University for five seasons. Following an 8-13 first season, Limam led the Orange to a 15-9 record in year two, guiding the team to a program-best No. 24 ranking and its first-ever appearance and win in the NCAA Tournament.
In 2017, then-freshman Miranda Ramirez thrived under Limam's tutelage, finishing the campaign with a 15-6 singles record and claiming All-ACC Second Team honors.
During the 2018 campaign, Limam coached the doubles pair of junior Gabriela Knutson and Ramirez to a No. 8 ranking and All-America status, helping them become the first Orange student-athletes to earn the honor since Erica O'Neill in 1995. Knutson also clinched All-America status in singles, finishing the season with a 21-5 singles record and No. 8 ranking.
Limam and the Orange's run ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but not before the team put together one of the most impressive seasons in program history. After beginning the season unranked, Syracuse finished 2018 with a 17-8 record and earned a season-best No. 25 ranking – the second time in program history that the Orange cracked the Oracle/ITA Top-25 Poll.
Syracuse returns Knutson and Ramirez in 2019, as well as rising junior Dina Hegab and rising sophomore Sofya Golubovskaya, who notched 13 and 12 singles wins, respectively, last season.
For complete coverage of Syracuse tennis, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Women's Tennis), Twitter (@Cuse_Tennis) and Instagram (@CuseTennis).
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries.
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries.
Players Mentioned
Syracuse Tennis - Court 5
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Syracuse Tennis - Court 1
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