Duke Athletics had plenty to celebrate this week, as Irina Balus and Dayaal Singh were named the 2024-25 PNC Achievers of the Year-an honor that recognizes not just standout athletic performance, but a commitment to excellence across the board. The two student-athletes were recognized during the Duke men’s basketball game on February 14, putting a well-deserved spotlight on their impressive seasons.
Let’s start with Balus, whose impact on the Duke women’s tennis program has been immediate and undeniable. In just her second year, the Slovakian native from Banská Bystrica has already built a résumé that stacks up with the best in the country.
She earned ITA All-America honors following a 2025 campaign that saw her climb as high as No. 8 in the national rankings in both singles and doubles. That’s elite territory, and she backed it up with a deep run to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championship.
Balus has also been a driving force in team play. She helped lead the Blue Devils to the NCAA Team Championship quarterfinals last May, adding another layer to her growing legacy in Durham.
With 27 wins under her belt through just two seasons, she’s not just rising-she’s already arrived. Fans will get a chance to see her in action this weekend as Duke hosts Boston College on February 20 and Syracuse on February 22 at Ambler Tennis Stadium.
On the fencing strip, Dayaal Singh has carved out a name of his own. The junior foilist is coming off a breakout sophomore season, one that saw him qualify for the NCAA Championships and earn All-America Honorable Mention honors with a 12th-place national finish. That’s no small feat in a sport where margins are razor-thin and competition is fierce.
Singh, who hails from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, also made history at the regional level. His third-place finish at the NCAA Regionals was the best by a Duke men’s foilist since 2019, earning him a spot on the USFCA All-Region First Team. With over 75 career wins and five academic honors to his name, Singh is the kind of well-rounded athlete every program dreams of.
Next up for Singh and the Duke fencing team: the ACC Championship, right at home inside Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 21-22. It’s a chance for him to build on an already stellar season and push Duke fencing further into the national conversation.
Balus and Singh represent the very best of Duke Athletics-athletes who excel not just in their sports, but in the classroom and in leadership. Their recognition as PNC Achievers of the Year is a testament to the work they’ve put in, and a reminder of the talent and drive fueling Duke’s success across the board.