Jan. 20, 2001

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The 13th-ranked Notre Dame women’s tennis team opens its 2001 dual-match season at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Eck Tennis Pavilion vs. fourth-ranked Duke. The Irish return seven of nine monogram winners and all but one starter from the 2000 team that finished with a 23-7 record and advanced to the NCAA round of 16.

The dual-match with Duke will feature two of the top singles players in the country. Two-time Irish All-American and senior captain Michelle Dasso — ranked third in the country in singles — will face Blue Devil freshman and second-ranked Ansley Carghill at No. 1 singles.

“We had a good season last year and with most people returning and three freshmen, hopefully we’ll be able to progress and pick up where we left off last year,” says 12th-year head coach Jay Louderback.

In addition to Dasso, juniors Lindsey Green, Nina Vaughan and Becky Varnum all return to the singles lineup, while senior Kimberly Guy and sophomore Katie Cunha also saw singles action last year. Freshmen Caylan Leslie also is expected to contribute to the lineup. Dasso and Varnum are ranked eighth in doubles.