Finch was already an established sophomore, 49-10 overall, when she won her final eight games of the 2000 season. She then rolled to the 2001 national championship, 32-0 overall, perfect, running her personal winning streak to 40.
Finch set the NCAA record of 51 straight on Feb. 24, 2002, beating Cal-Northridge 6-0 at Hillenbrand Stadium. Finch had rolled to 60 straight in early April when No. 1 UCLA arrived in Tucson. The then-largest crowd in Hillenbrand history, 3,161, watched the Bruins take down Finch’s streak, 6-5.
“At least it was a legit loss,” she said, spilling a few tears. She would finish the season 31-5.
