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On This Day: DWT Wins First National Championship
5/20/2020 12:35:00 PM | Women's Tennis
On This Day: DWT Wins First National Championship
DURHAM, N.C. – On May 20, 2009, seniors Melissa Mang and Jessi Robinson earned singles victories within minutes of each other to lead the No. 3 Blue Devils to a 4-0 sweep of No. 8 California in the NCAA Women's Tennis National Championship match. Duke captured its first national title in women's tennis and the 10th overall national trophy in school history.
Duke turned in its 18th consecutive win and 29th victory of the season in the title match to close out a memorable NCAA Tournament run. The third-seeded Blue Devils' 29 wins is the second most in program history, while its 18-match win streak to close out the year also ranks second.
"[This team] is unbelievably resilient," head coach Jamie Ashworth said. "I'm so proud of them. I couldn't ask for more out of these girls. We grinded out most of the year with six players and you can't ask for anything more than what they gave every single day at practice and matches. To come through like they did today and beat a great Cal team, it's just unbelievable."
Sophomore Reka Zsilinszka was selected as the NCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player. Junior Amanda Granson and Mang joined her on the all-tournament team at the No. 4 and No. 5 singles spots.
Leading 2-0, the Blue Devils looked as if they had control of the match. After taking the first set easily 6-2, Robinson fell behind 4-1 in the second set to Marion Ravelojaona. The senior co-captain dug deep and started to claw her way back into the set and getting back on serve. After tying the match 4-4, the Rehoboth Beach, Del., native took the next two games to make it 3-0 in Duke's favor.
Just moments later Mang was set for championship point. Looking to serve out the match for the national title, Mang turned in a forehand winner to end the match and give Duke its first national title.
The national championship is the first for the women's tennis program and the 10th for Duke overall. The other nine Duke national titles came in men's soccer (1986), men's basketball (1991, 1992, 2001) and women's golf (1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007).
#GoDuke | #RiseUp
Duke turned in its 18th consecutive win and 29th victory of the season in the title match to close out a memorable NCAA Tournament run. The third-seeded Blue Devils' 29 wins is the second most in program history, while its 18-match win streak to close out the year also ranks second.
"[This team] is unbelievably resilient," head coach Jamie Ashworth said. "I'm so proud of them. I couldn't ask for more out of these girls. We grinded out most of the year with six players and you can't ask for anything more than what they gave every single day at practice and matches. To come through like they did today and beat a great Cal team, it's just unbelievable."
Sophomore Reka Zsilinszka was selected as the NCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player. Junior Amanda Granson and Mang joined her on the all-tournament team at the No. 4 and No. 5 singles spots.
Leading 2-0, the Blue Devils looked as if they had control of the match. After taking the first set easily 6-2, Robinson fell behind 4-1 in the second set to Marion Ravelojaona. The senior co-captain dug deep and started to claw her way back into the set and getting back on serve. After tying the match 4-4, the Rehoboth Beach, Del., native took the next two games to make it 3-0 in Duke's favor.
Just moments later Mang was set for championship point. Looking to serve out the match for the national title, Mang turned in a forehand winner to end the match and give Duke its first national title.
The national championship is the first for the women's tennis program and the 10th for Duke overall. The other nine Duke national titles came in men's soccer (1986), men's basketball (1991, 1992, 2001) and women's golf (1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007).
#GoDuke | #RiseUp
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Tennis
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/ Women's Tennis
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/ Women's Tennis
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