Upcoming Event: Women's Tennis at Kitty Harrison Invitational on September 12, 2025
Women's Tennis
at Kitty Harrison Invitational
Photo by: Duke Athletics
The Krug Sibling Bonds on and off the Court
4/25/2025 2:08:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
DURHAM, N.C.-- For most, the opportunity to play collegiate sports is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But for three siblings at Duke University, it's a shared journey of competition, camaraderie and a deep-rooted love for a place they've called home long before stepping foot on campus. Jake, Connor, and Ava Krug are not just teammates but siblings who share an unbreakable bond built on years of family tradition, hard work and a love for tennis.
For Jake and Connor, their connection to Duke began almost as soon as they could walk. Their grandfather, legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale, was a guiding force in their early exposure to college sports, including countless trips to Duke basketball games. The twins recall the excitement of their childhood visits, which planted the seeds for their eventual future at Duke.
"We have been Duke fans since we were five," Jake shared. "Flying out for games with our grandfather, we'd be back at school the next morning. Those trips gave us a connection to Duke that never wavered. I remember shooting hoops at Cameron Indoor Stadium with the Cameron Crazies cheering us on as we were chucking up three-pointers. So, I think there was something in us that always resonated and connected with Duke."
Connor echoed the sentiment: "Even though I'd been here so many times, the moment I came on my official visit as a junior in high school, I knew Duke was the place for me. Unlike my previous trips, my recruiting visit afforded me the opportunity to experience life as a prospective student-athlete at Duke, and by the end of the weekend, I knew it was the perfect fit for me to develop and grow both academically and athletically."
Though Jake and Connor began their athletic journey with baseball, they transitioned to tennis at age 13. With their family's unwavering support and access to top-tier coaching in Sarasota, Fla., the brothers quickly found themselves qualifying for bigger tournaments, winning more matches and rapidly ascending the rankings.
They were fortunate to have a vast support system in place during their formative years. Having two parents who were both former collegiate athletes (mom played tennis at the University Notre Dame and dad played football at the University of Notre Dame) and a grandfather who coached at every level (high school, collegiately and professionally), the family placed great emphasis on finding the right coaches to guide the boys development.
Connor described their environment as pivotal: "We trained in an academy with an incredible group of players and coaches. It was small but elite and being surrounded by such talent pushed us to improve. We had three coaches and around 10 players. All of us eventually went on to play for top Division I programs. And when you're improving at something fast, it's motivating. You just want to keep doing it. So, I just kind of fell in love with the sport and the process of getting better."
Ava, the youngest of the trio, joined her brothers at Duke after years of watching their journey unfold. Inspired by their experiences and her numerous visits to cheer on her brothers at matches, Ava knew Duke was the right fit for her.
"Once my brothers arrived on campus, I started coming up a ton with my family and I went to all the different sporting events. We made an effort to come up as often as we could. So, I started to develop a love for the school," she shared. "As I went through the recruiting process, it was very clear that this was the perfect fit for me."
The Krug siblings credit much of their success to their mother, Sherri Vitale. Her dedication to their development - coordinating tournaments, training schedules and travel - was instrumental in their growth as athletes. "She was heavily involved, especially in our younger years," Connor shared. "Her guidance and collaboration with our coaches set us up for success."
The results speak for themselves. As Jake and Connor became standouts in the sport, Ava soon followed, inspired by watching her older brothers thrive in the highest levels of junior tennis.
Sherri Vitale reflected on the unique opportunity her children have at Duke: "We feel so fortunate and grateful to have all three of our kids at Duke this year. It is certainly special to have all of them at one university and all representing Duke as student-athletes in the tennis program. We are so blessed that they have this unique opportunity, that we know will be a cherished memory in their lives for years and years to come. We are so thankful to all the coaches, trainers, administration and faculty for welcoming our three kids into this incredible university and for making Duke feel like home for them."
While each sibling has their own story, being together at Duke has added a new dimension to their lives. For Ava, her first semester has been a smooth transition with her brothers by her side.
"We've always done everything growing up together, so it fits that we're here together. It's especially nice for my first year having both of them to support me with anything I need."
Their grandfather, Dick Vitale, couldn't hold back his pride for his grandchildren, knowing that he played a major role in motivating them, saying:
"Years ago as I announced Duke games, I had so much fun taking Connor and Jake to Cameron Indoor Stadium with me," he recalled. "I loved being able to expose them to such a special and unique university at such a young age, in hopes it would inspire and motivate them both academically and athletically. Ava developed a strong love and passion for the university, going to visit her brothers for the past three years and like her brothers, she was fortunate to have Duke among the schools recruiting her. She was thrilled to commit to the Duke women's team and to be able to join her brothers on campus for this season in which all three will be together."
As Jake and Connor prepare for their final NCAA Tournament run, Ava is just beginning her journey. Together, the Krug siblings are making the most of this rare opportunity to share their college experience.
For the Krug's, Duke is more than a school - it's a legacy, a second home and the backdrop to a family story that continues to unfold. From the tennis courts to Cameron Indoor Stadium, their bond grows stronger with each shared memory, proving that the ties of family transcend even the fiercest competition.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
#GoDuke
For Jake and Connor, their connection to Duke began almost as soon as they could walk. Their grandfather, legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale, was a guiding force in their early exposure to college sports, including countless trips to Duke basketball games. The twins recall the excitement of their childhood visits, which planted the seeds for their eventual future at Duke.
"We have been Duke fans since we were five," Jake shared. "Flying out for games with our grandfather, we'd be back at school the next morning. Those trips gave us a connection to Duke that never wavered. I remember shooting hoops at Cameron Indoor Stadium with the Cameron Crazies cheering us on as we were chucking up three-pointers. So, I think there was something in us that always resonated and connected with Duke."
Connor echoed the sentiment: "Even though I'd been here so many times, the moment I came on my official visit as a junior in high school, I knew Duke was the place for me. Unlike my previous trips, my recruiting visit afforded me the opportunity to experience life as a prospective student-athlete at Duke, and by the end of the weekend, I knew it was the perfect fit for me to develop and grow both academically and athletically."
Though Jake and Connor began their athletic journey with baseball, they transitioned to tennis at age 13. With their family's unwavering support and access to top-tier coaching in Sarasota, Fla., the brothers quickly found themselves qualifying for bigger tournaments, winning more matches and rapidly ascending the rankings.
They were fortunate to have a vast support system in place during their formative years. Having two parents who were both former collegiate athletes (mom played tennis at the University Notre Dame and dad played football at the University of Notre Dame) and a grandfather who coached at every level (high school, collegiately and professionally), the family placed great emphasis on finding the right coaches to guide the boys development.
Connor described their environment as pivotal: "We trained in an academy with an incredible group of players and coaches. It was small but elite and being surrounded by such talent pushed us to improve. We had three coaches and around 10 players. All of us eventually went on to play for top Division I programs. And when you're improving at something fast, it's motivating. You just want to keep doing it. So, I just kind of fell in love with the sport and the process of getting better."
Ava, the youngest of the trio, joined her brothers at Duke after years of watching their journey unfold. Inspired by their experiences and her numerous visits to cheer on her brothers at matches, Ava knew Duke was the right fit for her.
"Once my brothers arrived on campus, I started coming up a ton with my family and I went to all the different sporting events. We made an effort to come up as often as we could. So, I started to develop a love for the school," she shared. "As I went through the recruiting process, it was very clear that this was the perfect fit for me."
The Krug siblings credit much of their success to their mother, Sherri Vitale. Her dedication to their development - coordinating tournaments, training schedules and travel - was instrumental in their growth as athletes. "She was heavily involved, especially in our younger years," Connor shared. "Her guidance and collaboration with our coaches set us up for success."
The results speak for themselves. As Jake and Connor became standouts in the sport, Ava soon followed, inspired by watching her older brothers thrive in the highest levels of junior tennis.
Sherri Vitale reflected on the unique opportunity her children have at Duke: "We feel so fortunate and grateful to have all three of our kids at Duke this year. It is certainly special to have all of them at one university and all representing Duke as student-athletes in the tennis program. We are so blessed that they have this unique opportunity, that we know will be a cherished memory in their lives for years and years to come. We are so thankful to all the coaches, trainers, administration and faculty for welcoming our three kids into this incredible university and for making Duke feel like home for them."
While each sibling has their own story, being together at Duke has added a new dimension to their lives. For Ava, her first semester has been a smooth transition with her brothers by her side.
"We've always done everything growing up together, so it fits that we're here together. It's especially nice for my first year having both of them to support me with anything I need."
Their grandfather, Dick Vitale, couldn't hold back his pride for his grandchildren, knowing that he played a major role in motivating them, saying:
"Years ago as I announced Duke games, I had so much fun taking Connor and Jake to Cameron Indoor Stadium with me," he recalled. "I loved being able to expose them to such a special and unique university at such a young age, in hopes it would inspire and motivate them both academically and athletically. Ava developed a strong love and passion for the university, going to visit her brothers for the past three years and like her brothers, she was fortunate to have Duke among the schools recruiting her. She was thrilled to commit to the Duke women's team and to be able to join her brothers on campus for this season in which all three will be together."
As Jake and Connor prepare for their final NCAA Tournament run, Ava is just beginning her journey. Together, the Krug siblings are making the most of this rare opportunity to share their college experience.
For the Krug's, Duke is more than a school - it's a legacy, a second home and the backdrop to a family story that continues to unfold. From the tennis courts to Cameron Indoor Stadium, their bond grows stronger with each shared memory, proving that the ties of family transcend even the fiercest competition.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
#GoDuke
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