CMC75 Moments: 2011 Women's Tennis Wins Regionals, Lim Takes National Singles Title
As part of the buildup to the 75th Anniversary celebration for Claremont McKenna College (visit CMC's 75th Anniversary Countdown Page to learn more), we are reliving many of the great moments from CMS athletic department history over the 75-day countdown from April 17 to July 1. If you were a part of this great moment and would like to add to the memories, or if you would like to submit your memories of your own favorite CMS Athletics moments, fill out the form on our main 75th Anniversary page.
Great Moments from 75 Years of Athletics
2011 Women's Tennis: CMS 5, Pomona-Pitzer 2 (Regional Finals)
CMS Women's Tennis has dominated SCIAC play since 2011, compiling an 89-2 record in league matches, but the 2011 NCAA Regional Finals is perhaps an important turning point in that dominance. For the previous 25 years, CMS and Pomona-Pitzer had alternated being the dominant program in the league every few years, and it had been Pomona-Pitzer's turn to rule the roost from 2007-10.
The Sagehens tried to maintain that mantle with a SCIAC Championship victory over CMS in 2011, leaving both teams 9-1 in league play, but the two teams met again in the NCAA Regional Finals, and this time the Athenas won 5-2 and haven't looked back.
Kristin Lim/Crystal Lim and Chloe Dobbert/Jessie Huang won at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, while Kristin Lim (6-1, 6-1) and Crystal Lim (6-0, 6-2) dominated their singles matches. Jaclyn Smrecek then picked up the clincher at No. 5 to send CMS through to nationals, where it has been every year since (in which it has competed).
The nationals that year were held at the brand-new Biszantz Family Tennis Center, which opened just two years prior, giving the Athenas the chance to play in their sport's showcase event at their home facility. Kristin Lim added to an historic season by becoming the first CMS women's tennis player to win the NCAA Division III singles championship, winning all five matches without dropping a set. Kristin Lim and Crystal Lim (no relation) also finished third in the NCAA Division III Doubles Championship.
Crystal Lim was also named the ITA National Rookie of the Year in 2011, helping CMS to a 21-4 final record.
2011 Women's Tennis Roster
Head Coach: Maxanne Retzlaff
Assistant Coaches: Kathy Settles, Hank Krieger
Sophie Biffar (Fr., Scripps)
Kelly Chen (Fr., CMC)
Erin Coughlan (Fr., HMC)
Caroline Daly (Jr., Scripps)
Chloe Dobbert (Fr., CMC)
Ali Feldhausen (So., Scripps)
Alexandra Hsu (Sr., Scripps)
Jessie Huang (Fr., CMC)
Hannah Kornfeld (Sr., CMC)
Crystal Lim (Fr., CMC)
Kristin Lim (So., CMC)
Victoria Nichols (Fr., CMC)
Ellie Rudee (Fr., Scripps)
Victoria Santoro (Fr., CMC)
Jaclyn Smrecek (So., Scripps)
Brittan Suthpin (Fr., CMC)