4/23-Fudge, Finnegan named All-Big Ten

MADISON, Wis. – Illinois redshirt-sophomore Leigh Finnegan and junior Megan Fudge of the Illinois women’s tennis team were named to the All-Big Ten team this evening at the annual Big Ten Tournament banquet. Fudge earned the honor for the third straight year, while Finnegan captures her first conference accolade. The two have been a force at the top of the Illinois lineup, leading the Illini to a third place finish in the Big Ten, their highest finish since 2003. The No. 3-seeded Illini (17-6, 8-2) open the Big Ten Tournament tomorrow, at 2 p.m. CT at McKee Farms in Fitchburg, Wis., against the No. 6-seed Purdue Boilermakers. For a full tournament schedule and up-to-date results visit uwbadgers.com. Fudge has recorded her third-straight 20+ win season at Illinois, notching a 26-7 overall ledger and an 8-2 record in conference play. The Kaarst, Germany, native recently saw a jump in the Campbell’s/ITA Tennis rankings, moving up to No. 77 in the most recent polls. Fudge has gone 4-1 against nationally ranked opponents this season, including an upset of then No. 35-ranked Kelcy Tefft of Notre Dame back on April 7. Meanwhile, Finnegan has grabbed her first 20-win season at Illinois, primarily seeing action at the No. 1 slot for the Orange and Blue. The Wilmington, Del., native has an overall record of 20-11 and is 7-3 in the Big Ten. Finnegan has ranked as high as No. 86 in the country this season and has been a leader in the Illinois doubles lineup, teaming up with two different partners for 18 total wins. Illinois freshman Amy Allin was also named the Illinois Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree at the banquet. Eleven student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. These student-athletes are now candidates for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, as the Conference office will honor one male and one female student-athlete from each institution at the end of the school year. Northwestern’s Maria Mosolova was named the Big Ten Athlete of the Year for the second straight season, while Northwestern head coach Claire Pollard earned the nod as Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season and for the fifth time in her career. Iowa’s Sonja Molnar was honored as Freshman of the Year, the first for a Hawkeye athlete since 2004. A complete list of the 2009 All-Big Ten team and postseason honorees appears below. 2009 BIG TEN AWARDS Athlete of the Year Maria Mosolova, Northwestern Freshman of the Year Sonja Molnar, Iowa Coach of the Year Claire Pollard, Northwestern 2009 All-Big Ten Team Megan Fudge, ILL Leigh Finnegan, ILL Sonja Molnar, IOWA* Chisako Sugiyama, MICH* Rika Tatsuno, MICH* Lauren Lui, NU Maria Mosolova, NU* Samantha Murray, NU Georgia Rose, NU* Kristen Flower, OSU Michelle Sammons, PUR Elizabeth Carpenter, WIS *unanimous selection 2009 Sportsmanship Award Honorees Amy Allin, ILL Sigrid Fischer, IND Allison Majercik, IOWA Whitney Taney, MICH Dana Guentert, MSU Alessandra Ferrazzi, MINN Lauren Lui, NU Christina Keesey, OSU Maria Prishlyak, PSU Jennifer Rabot, PUR Katya Mirnova, WIS