Ramirez, Yusupova Set to Return Next Season
4/21/2020 2:04:00 PM | Tennis
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The party isn't over yet for Miranda Ramirez and Guzal Yusupova. The Orange tennis duo is set to return for the 2020-21 season to settle unfinished business. Their decision comes following the NCAA's ruling that spring sport student-athletes impacted by their seasons being halted due to COVID-19 could retain their eligibility from the year. Both Ramirez and Yusupova will compete for Syracuse while enrolled in graduate school.
"Miranda and Guzal were very patient and understanding through the whole process," head coach Younes Limam said. "They are very grateful for the opportunity to come back for another year, and want to help take care of some unfinished business on the court.
"Miranda is one of the most talented players the Orange has ever had," Limamcontinued. "Since she got here, she has helped the program reach new heights. As good as she is on the court and in the classroom, she is an even better person with tremendous values. Guzal has shown great personal growth and maturity since she joined us two years ago. She wants to finish her collegiate tennis career on a high, and in a way that she will remember forever."
Ramirez, a 2018 doubles All-American and one of three Orange selected as 2020 Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship Award recipients by the ACC, opened the 2020 season on a 7-0 tear that included four two-set sweeps at the No. 2 and 3 slots. She ended the shortened season 9-2. The San Antonio, Texas, native went 4-0 in doubles alongside Yusupova, and her 131 career wins are tied for 13th all-time at 'Cuse.
"I am incredibly excited to get the chance to play one more year with my teammates and for the Syracuse family," Ramirez said. "These past three-and-a-half seasons have been some of the best experiences of my life, and I feel honored to receive the chance to finish out my college career. This is something that means a lot to me both as an athlete and as a student who bleeds orange. None of this would be possible without the amazing support of our coaching staff, the athletic department, and the University as a whole—they're all dedicated to giving their student-athletes the best college experience possible. I can't wait to give my very best and leave my heart out on the court for my teammates"
Yusupova entered the spring ranked No. 64 in singles and played every singles match at No. 1, earning five wins. The Qarshi, Uzbekistan, native has 139 match victories to her name, with 63 of those coming at Syracuse. Yusupova opened the fall 2019 season with five consecutive singles victories, including three in the Princeton Invitational that helped her claim the main-draw crown. Yusupova and Ramirez partnered up in the Milwaukee Classic and advanced through four rounds before losing in the finals.
"I am excited and thankful for the opportunity that our coaches, the athletic department, and Syracuse University has given us to fully finish our senior year," Yusupova said. "I can't wait to see my teammates and coaches and to start practicing again."
No. 23 Syracuse concluded the year with an 8-3 (3-2 ACC) record. The season featured 'Cuse starting the year on a 6-0 tear, along with Syracuse's three freshmen (Kim Hansen, Polina Kozyreva and Zeynep Erman) all starting the year 4-0 in singles play. The Orange also topped No. 15 Notre Dame, 4-3, at home.
For complete coverage of Syracuse tennis, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse University Women's Tennis, Twitter (@Cuse_Tennis) and Instagram (@cusetennis). For more information about Drumlins, click here.
"Miranda and Guzal were very patient and understanding through the whole process," head coach Younes Limam said. "They are very grateful for the opportunity to come back for another year, and want to help take care of some unfinished business on the court.
"Miranda is one of the most talented players the Orange has ever had," Limamcontinued. "Since she got here, she has helped the program reach new heights. As good as she is on the court and in the classroom, she is an even better person with tremendous values. Guzal has shown great personal growth and maturity since she joined us two years ago. She wants to finish her collegiate tennis career on a high, and in a way that she will remember forever."
Ramirez, a 2018 doubles All-American and one of three Orange selected as 2020 Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship Award recipients by the ACC, opened the 2020 season on a 7-0 tear that included four two-set sweeps at the No. 2 and 3 slots. She ended the shortened season 9-2. The San Antonio, Texas, native went 4-0 in doubles alongside Yusupova, and her 131 career wins are tied for 13th all-time at 'Cuse.
"I am incredibly excited to get the chance to play one more year with my teammates and for the Syracuse family," Ramirez said. "These past three-and-a-half seasons have been some of the best experiences of my life, and I feel honored to receive the chance to finish out my college career. This is something that means a lot to me both as an athlete and as a student who bleeds orange. None of this would be possible without the amazing support of our coaching staff, the athletic department, and the University as a whole—they're all dedicated to giving their student-athletes the best college experience possible. I can't wait to give my very best and leave my heart out on the court for my teammates"
Unfinished business.
— Syracuse Tennis (@Cuse_Tennis) April 15, 2020
Miranda will be back on the court next season. 😎🍊🎾 pic.twitter.com/1iGxePaFHU
Yusupova entered the spring ranked No. 64 in singles and played every singles match at No. 1, earning five wins. The Qarshi, Uzbekistan, native has 139 match victories to her name, with 63 of those coming at Syracuse. Yusupova opened the fall 2019 season with five consecutive singles victories, including three in the Princeton Invitational that helped her claim the main-draw crown. Yusupova and Ramirez partnered up in the Milwaukee Classic and advanced through four rounds before losing in the finals.
"I am excited and thankful for the opportunity that our coaches, the athletic department, and Syracuse University has given us to fully finish our senior year," Yusupova said. "I can't wait to see my teammates and coaches and to start practicing again."
Guzal will be back in Orange next year and ready to continue her winning ways! 👏🍊🎾 pic.twitter.com/u21yMrGn1K
— Syracuse Tennis (@Cuse_Tennis) April 15, 2020
No. 23 Syracuse concluded the year with an 8-3 (3-2 ACC) record. The season featured 'Cuse starting the year on a 6-0 tear, along with Syracuse's three freshmen (Kim Hansen, Polina Kozyreva and Zeynep Erman) all starting the year 4-0 in singles play. The Orange also topped No. 15 Notre Dame, 4-3, at home.
For complete coverage of Syracuse tennis, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse University Women's Tennis, Twitter (@Cuse_Tennis) and Instagram (@cusetennis). For more information about Drumlins, click here.
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