MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois Women's Tennis has announced the signing of graduate transfer Emma Dell(Indianapolis, IN) to join the Leathernecks for the upcoming season.
Dell arrives at WIU following a standout four-year career at Indiana University Indianapolis, where she excelled both on the court and in the classroom while emerging as a leader at the conference and national levels.
A 5'3" competitor known for her consistency, Dell built an impressive resume during her time with the Jaguars. As a freshman and sophomore, she earned College Sports Communicators All-District Team honors and was named an ITA Scholar Athlete in both seasons. She also collected multiple academic recognitions, including Academic Advisors List, Dean's List, and Horizon League Honor Roll distinctions. During her sophomore year, Dell was named Under Armour Horizon League Singles Player of the Week and earned the team's Iron Jag Award for her commitment and leadership in the weight room.
Dell's junior season marked another leap forward. She served as team captain and held the No. 1 singles position, while again earning All-District honors and ITA Scholar Athlete recognition. She was selected for the ITA Rising Coaches Program and ITA Mentorship Program, highlighting her growing impact beyond competition. Among her biggest on-court moments were back-to-back No. 1 conference singles wins in straight sets against Milwaukee and Chicago State. She also earned IU Indianapolis' Top 100 Student Award and served as a Horizon League representative.
As a senior, Dell's leadership expanded to the national stage. She served as SAAC President at IU Indianapolis, represented the Horizon League on SAAC, and was selected to serve on the NCAA Division I Tennis Oversight Committee - a prestigious role that gave her a voice in the governance of college tennis. She continued her academic success with additional Academic Advisors List and Dean's List recognition.
Dell will pursue her MBA at Western Illinois University while competing in her graduate season.
"Western Illinois University stood out to me because it supports both my athletic goals and my future career aspirations," Dell said. "As someone who wants to coach college tennis, earning my MBA while continuing to compete allows me to grow as a leader and role model. WIU provides the structure, resources, and culture that helps me transition from student-athlete to coach."
Dell brings a rare combination of high-level playing experience, academic excellence, and national leadership to the Leathernecks program as WIU prepares for the upcoming season.
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