July 1, 2009
Since her arrival on campus three short years ago, head coach Michelle Dasso has set high goals for the Illinois women's tennis team. The team responded in an impressive fashion in 2009, accomplishing its goal of not only making the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year, but also winning its first round match against the No. 19-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores, with a thrilling 4-3 finish. The win over the Commodores gave Illinois its first win over a Top-20 opponent in five years. The upset victory was even more special as the Illini got to achieve its goal in front of the home crowd, after being chosen to host an NCAA regional for the second time in the history of the Illinois women's tennis program. The Orange and Blue also made history, with familiar company on the courts beside them, the Illinois men's tennis team, as both teams took part in the first ever joint regional at Illinois.
Throughout the road to the NCAA regional, the Illini continued to make a name for themselves on the national scene. Over the course of the season, the Illini collected 19 wins, the most for the squad in 18 seasons, and continued their climb up the charts, finishing at No. 33 in the final ITA team standings.
The Fighting Illini enjoyed a successful conference season, as well. The squad finished with an 8-2 conference record, claiming third place in the final regular season standings to No. 1 Northwestern and No. 18 Michigan. At the Big Ten Tournament, the Orange and Blue advanced to the semifinals for the second-straight year, before a heartbreaking loss to Michigan.
At the annual Big Ten Tournament banquet, junior Megan Fudge received All-Big Ten honors for the third straight season, while redshirt-sophomore Leigh Finnegan garnered All-Big Ten honors for the first time in her Illini career.
Fudge was virtually unstoppable seeing action at No. 1 and 2 singles throughout the season. The Kaarst, Germany native finished with an overall record of 30-7 and was 24-3 in dual matches. Her 30-win season placed her in a tie for fourth on the Illinois single season wins list. Fudge finished No. 58 in the final ITA singles rankings of 2009.
Finnegan also had a standout year, racking up 21 wins for her first 20-plus win season at Illinois. The Wilmington, Del., native came in at No. 105 in the final singles rankings.
