The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2019 THE WOLVERINE 49 sacroiliac joint in her back the summer leading into the season, causing her to take time off tennis completely. She avoided surgery, then took a scalpel to opponents throughout the season. She became Big Ten Athlete of the Year with a 27-9 record, 18-3 at the top singles spot in dual matches. She logged 13 wins over ranked singles foes, and finished the year ranked No. 30 by the ITA. The offense — and the aggression — she'd sought came fully into play her junior year. "In the past, deuce points, sudden death, I would sit back and wait for my opponent to miss," Fahey recalled. "Definitely junior year, I gained con- fidence and trusted myself to make those big shots in the big moments." Fahey featured more of the same as a dominant senior, going 38-6 in singles, including a 21-1 mark in dual matches at No. 1. Again earning Big Ten Athlete of the Year, she captured All-America honors in both singles and doubles — the third in school his- tory to do so — and finished the year ranked No. 3 in singles, a program record. She and partner Brienne Minor reached the title match of the NCAA Doubles Championship, finishing as national runner-up. Moreover, she continued her growth as a teammate and leader, Fahey stressed. "I really did a good job of becoming a team player," Fahey said. "I remem- ber winning my matches, but being really upset when my team lost. It was like I was just looking to get a point on the board for my team, and at the end of the day if my team didn't win, it didn't mean as much. "I was a captain and was a little more selfless. I had that all four years, but definitely senior year. It was heartbreaking losing in the NCAAs." Reaching the championship game in doubles remains a highlight as well. "That was so special," she said. "I was there with my teammate and classmate, Brie, who I just love play- ing with. She's awesome. It's a differ- ent mindset, because you're out there with someone else. "If you're stressed out or a little bit tight, your partner can kind of help you out. In singles, you're all by your- self. We really fed off each other. Our games complement each other well. Having a run like that as seniors was really cool." Fahey loved everything about her Michigan experience, becoming part of something bigger than her own in- dividual efforts. She'd not known The Team like she did at Michigan, and misses it already in her new venture. A fledgling professional player, she entered mid-July ranked No. 620 in the world, excited about tournaments coming up but clearly wistful about what she suddenly left behind. "Junior tennis is an individual sport," Fahey said. "Now I'm playing an individual sport again. But just be- ing able to be on a team, and represent the block M, and be a part of some- thing so special … in my opinion, it's the greatest university in the world. It was such a cool experience. I'm defi- nitely sad it's over, and I will cherish my experience forever." There wasn't any preordination in her professional career. Fahey nailed down a degree in International Stud- ies before she left, with minors in International Business and Spanish. She'll see doors open for her when pro tennis ends. But for now, she's pursuing a path that will take her to tournaments in Evansville, Ind. (July 23) and Fort Worth, Texas (Aug. 1). She's hoping to qualify for higher-level tourneys in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts in the months to come. "I think college tennis prepared me very well," Fahey said. "Ronnie and Teryn definitely encouraged me to try and play pro. I'm really glad I'm do- ing it. I was a little on the fence about it a few years ago, but I'm going for it and really happy about it. This is the only time in my life I can do it. "It's all dependent on you as an in- dividual, unless you get sponsored or get an agent. Then you have more of a team. Definitely in the beginning, you're on your own. "My team and my coaches played such a big role in my development. I don't think I could have done what I did without them." ❏ Filling Out The Top Five Female Athletes Michigan featured a host of top-level female athletes in 2018-19. Here are oth- ers who maximized their opportunity: 2. Natalie Wojcik, gymnastics — The freshman stood alone atop the balance beam, winning the NCAA championship with a 9.950. She added to that first-team All-America effort with a second-team All-America finish in the all-around, and by becoming Big Ten floor (9.950) and all-around (39.600) champion in her first season. 3. Siobhan Haughey, swimming — Haughey earned six All-America citations in her senior season, winding up third in the NCAA Championships in the 100- yard freestyle (47.06) and the 200-yard freestyle (1:40.70). She captured five Big Ten championships, in those two events and three relays. 4. Emma Way, field hockey — Way led the way for the Wolverines, posting a career-best 19 goals and 43 points. The NFHCA first-team All-American earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year hon- ors as a senior. 5. Caroline Hendershot, rowing — A CRCA first-team All-American, Hender- shot earned Big Ten Athlete of the Year honors for a squad that wound up No. 3 nationally. She's a two-time NCAA bronze medalist. — John Borton Natalie Wojcik became a national cham- pion in the balance beam in her debut campaign. She is just the second U-M title winner in the event, joining Elise Ray, who won the event as a freshman in 2002. They are the only two in program history to win NCAA crowns in their first year. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY