An Impressive Debut

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Susquehanna University freshman Tara McHugh has been named the 2000 Commonwealth Conference Rookie of the Year in women's tennis after tying the school record for wins in a season and advancing to the Middle Atlantic Conference singles quarterfinals. McHugh was also named to the six-player Commonwealth Conference All-Star team in voting conducted by the conference's head coaches.

McHugh (Jeannette, Pa./Hempfield Area), who played number-one singles the entire season for the Crusaders, compiled a 10-2 mark during the regular season. Her only losses came to 1999 MAC singles champion and 2000 Freedom Conference Player of the Year Cricket Temple of Lycoming on September 18 and to Erin Michalisin of Scranton on October 10.

In the MAC Individual Championships, McHugh won a second-round match and advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to fellow Commonwealth Conference All-Star Whitney Bull in three sets.

McHugh's final overall record of 11-3 ties the Susquehanna record for wins in a season set during the 1987 season by Marge Guckes. In her 11 victories, McHugh lost just one set – to eventual MAC singles champion Jennifer Kalb of Messiah during their September 28 match.

The Crusaders finished the 2000 season with a 5-7 overall record, and placed fourth in the Commonwealth Conference with a 3-4 record in league play.