Ball State University Athletics
Fudge And DeHeart Join Women's Tennis Staff
August 30, 2010 | Women's Tennis
"We are thrilled to have Megan Fudge and Ryler DeHeart join our coaching staff here at Ball State," said Bader. "Both are very accomplished on the tennis court and will be an integral part of the success of the Ball State women's tennis team in the future."
Fudge will be the graduate assistant for the women's tennis program, she comes to Ball State after playing tennis for the University of Illinois from 2006-10. As a player, Fudge played at the top of the line up for all four years in singles and doubles. She ranked as high as No. 42 in the NCAA Division I in singles and No. 24 in doubles. Fudge earned her highest career ranking of No. 6 in the Midwest region in singles action. She received All-Big Ten Conference First Team all four years. Fudge was tabbed Most Valuable Player for Illinois women's tennis for four seasons. A five time Women's Tennis Big Ten Athlete of the Week, Fudge earned Illinois Illini Sprite Award as a senior and was a finalist for the Illinois Dike Eddleman Female Athlete of the Year Award. In the classroom, Fudge received Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and was an Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athlete in 2008 and 2009. She was also honored for her sportsmanship on the court after receiving the Midwest Regional Cissy Leary Award. Fudge has worked the women's and men's clinics at Atkins Tennis Center along with Nike and Prince Tennis camps at Illinois.
DeHeart comes to Ball State as the volunteer assistant. He played college tennis at Illinois, where he achieved a No.1 ITA singles ranking and was a two-time All-American. As a junior, he won the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Singles Championship. As a senior, he was a semifinalist at the ITA All-American Championships and won the consolation title at the ITA National Indoor Championships. He finished his career with a singles record of 138-36, which is the most wins in Illinois history, and a doubles record of 104-38. He was the former No. 1 junior in the U.S., won the national junior sportmanship award. DeHeart helped the Illini win a 2003 NCAA National Championship. He was a three-time All-American in singles and doubles before competing professionally in all four grand slams. DeHeart lost to Rafael Nadal in the second round of the 2008 US Open, and qualified for Doha and San Jose ATP events, losing to Andy Roddick. He has earned wins over top 100 players, including John Isner and Olivier Rochus. DeHeart has coached for Illinois' competitive junior programs and has been a private lesson instructor.
The Ball State University women's tennis team begins fall action Sept. 17, when it hosts the Ball State Fall Invitational at the Cardinal Creek Tennis Center.
