WOMEN'S TENNIS: Dasso becomes all-time winningest player in Irish win
By STEVE KEPPEL
Sports Writer
Another weekend gone by, another record for senior tennis all-American Michelle Dasso.
The women's tennis team traveled to Kansas this weekend to take on Kansas State, BYU and Kansas. The sixth ranked women won all three contests and improved their record to 10-2. Along the way Dasso set another Notre Dame women's tennis record, becoming the all-time winningest player in both doubles and singles with a combined record of 214-72. The 10-2 team record for the Irish marks the best start since the 1995-96 season when they went 17-2.
"The biggest thing this season is the depth and experience we have," said coach Jay Louderback. "We have experience in the lineup from top to bottom."
The Irish opened up with Kansas State on Friday and after winning the doubles point scraped by to defeat the 46th-ranked Wildcats 4-3.
The Irish split the singles matches, with Dasso and Kimberly Guy losing in straight sets.
"It was a very tough place to play," said Louderback. "We didn't get a chance to practice on their courts and the footing was awful and we didn't adjust too well. We did a good job winning the doubles, and still getting the win was big."
The victory was clinched for the Irish by wins from the middle of the lineup as Becky Varnum, Nina Vaughan and Caylan Leslie all won in straight sets.
On Saturday, the Irish took on 44th-ranked BYU and seemed to bounce back from the previous day's hard fought match as they went on to win the doubles point and sweep the singles matches winning 7-0. Varnum, who is 7-1 in her last eight singles matches, had the critical victory against Dominique Reynolds 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2 singles. The Irish looked unstoppable, not dropping a set the entire match.
"We had played so well the week before and after the tough Kansas State win we realized that every match we have to play really hard, and that's what we did," said Louderback.
Looking to end the weekend undefeated the Irish went up against a tough Kansas team on their home court on Sunday. Keeping on track with their solid play, the Irish won 7-0 for the second day in a row without dropping a single set. The trail was blazed for the Irish after a third consecutive doubles point was clinched with wins from No. 5 Dasso/Varnum, Cunha/Guy and Leslie/Vaughan, who all won 8-6.
The key to the Irish success has been their experience and depth. Dasso leads the team in almost every category but there are some other very important players who have greatly contributed to their 10-2 record. One of those players is Varnum who is 7-2 this season in dual matches.
"Becky Varnum started off slow this fall but has really come on this spring playing at the No. 2 spot for us," said Louderback. "Nina Vaughan has also stepped up to play at three, but Varnum's play at two has been the biggest difference for us."
The 10-2 Irish are on a roll but will have their work cut out for them next Thursday as they take on 11th-ranked Northwestern.
"It's going to be a great match," said coach Louderback, "They are very strong at the top of their lineup but also very deep."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, February 27, 2001
