Aug. 08--Illinois released women's tennis coach Michelle Dasso by not renewing her contract.
A news release by the university on Friday did not announce a reason for the decision. Dasso had assembled a 122-98 record over nine seasons, including a 56-38 mark in the Big Ten.
Evan Clark was named the interim coach for next season.
Dasso, who played at Notre Dame and was previously an assistant there, led the Illini to four NCAA tournament appearances and a ranking as high as No. 21 nationally in 2012.
The Illini have not returned to the tournament since that season, finishing last season 14-10 with a fifth-place Big Ten finish.
"We appreciate and thank Michelle for her nine years of service to the University of Illinois and the women's tennis program," athletic director Mike Thomas said in a statement. "We wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors."
Clark joined Illinois' staff in December 2014 after a two-year head coaching stint at North Carolina-Wilmington.
sryan@tribpub.com
