Syracuse still looking to find the right lineup

One hour before doubles play begins, Syracuse players have no idea as to whom they are playing alongside, or in which position.

Before every match, the team has a meal together, either breakfast or lunch depending on the time of day, junior Dina Hegab said. Then, head coach Younes Limam hosts a meeting with the players.

“He tells us right before we come to the courts,” Hegab said.

This season, the Orange has played different lineups in every match. All eight players have competed at least twice in singles, and Limam has sent out nine different doubles pairings through 14 doubles matches thus far this season. While Syracuse (4-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) has repeatedly changed the lineup due to both injury and rest, Syracuse boasts a 12-2 record in doubles.

When everyone is healthy and available, Limam has his top two solidified in both singles and doubles. Gabriela Knutson is ranked No. 17 in the nation in singles, and the partnership of Knutson and sophomore Miranda Ramirez ranks No. 13 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association doubles rankings. But Limam doesn’t always start his top-20 ranked players.

On opening day against Niagara, Ramirez was rested, leaving freshman Sofya Golubovskaya to make her debut at second singles. Golubovskaya cruised, 6-1, 6-1. Then, last Friday against Connecticut, Limam sat out Knutson, forcing the rest of the lineup to move up the ladder. Without Knutson, Syracuse rotated the doubles pairings by sending Anna Shkudun to first doubles alongside Golubovskaya, and shunting Ramirez down to second doubles with senior Nicole Mitchell. Golubovskaya and Shkudun lost 6-3, but Mitchell and Ramirez prevailed 6-2.

When asked why Knutson didn’t play, Limam cited the length of the season.

“We’re taking it one day at a time, it’s a long season,” Limam said. “(Knutson’s) good to go whenever we need her to be.”

No one has been affected by the constant lineup changes more than Libi Mesh, who has partnered with four different doubles partners and played in two different singles positions. Despite the changes, Mesh is 3-1 in both doubles and singles.

Lower on the ladder, Hegab is the only player to play every match this season in singles, as she holds an unbeaten 5-0 record. Whether it’s been at fourth, fifth or sixth singles, Hegab said she has used her improved service and fitness in singles to outgun her opponents. She’s had three different doubles partners and played in two different doubles positions, yet she still holds a 4-1 record in the doubles.

“I’m glad everyone is ready and we’re all flexible to play with different partners,” Hegab said.

Hegab and Masha Tritou have found the most success playing alongside one another, as Hegab’s power baseline play compliments the 6-foot Tritou’s size at the net to the tune of a 3-0 record as a duo. Despite the 3-0 record, Tritou sat out last Friday as Limam paired Mesh with Hegab. Playing together for the first time this year, the two jumped out to a 5-0 lead before collapsing, losing 7-6 in a match that decided the doubles point.

Limam said there is no specific reason that he has played so many variations of doubles partners. He “doesn’t believe much,” in lineup positions, and he’s still looking to find what lineup will provide the most success as the Orange heads toward its conference matches.

“We don’t know anything about the lineup decisions,” Hegab said. “I think we all play really good together.”

Despite all of the tinkering with the lineups, Syracuse has started the season well. The Orange beat Columbia (5-2, 2-1 Ivy League) and nearly toppled Virginia (3-2, 1-0 ACC) in Charlottesville.

The Orange plays Boston College and Yale this weekend. And while SU may know its opponents, its lineup remains a mystery.