Sweep of doubles helps guide CMS to first at SCIAC Championships
(Watch CMS seal the win)
CLAREMONT, Calif. – Sophomore Kyla Scott (HMC) had the clinching point of the match as the No. 2 seed Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's tennis team defeated top-seeded Pomona-Pitzer 7-2 to win the SCIAC Championships on May 8 at the Pauley Tennis Complex. For CMS, it is the sixth year in a row that they have won the SCIAC Championships and they have 18 conference titles overall.
CMS and Pomona-Pitzer finished tied atop the conference standings (points and conference losses) and go down as co-champions, but by virtue of winning the championship match of the SCIAC Championships on Sunday, CMS received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships which begin next week. CMS and Pomona-Pitzer both beat each other during conference play this season. More information on date, location and opponent for CMS in the NCAA Championships will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Prior to singles, CMS (19-4) took control of the match by moving ahead 3-0 after doubles. Freshman Jessie Cruz (CMC) and Scott won in the second position over Lea Lynn Yen and Caroline Casper, 8-3 to give CMS a 1-0 lead. Cruz registered the winning point. Shortly thereafter at No. 3 doubles, sophomores Bria Smith (CMC) and Lindsay Brown (CMC) won 8-3 over Grace Hruska and Marie Fleming when Pomona-Pitzer's return went into the net. Junior Katie Kuosman (CMC) and senior Caroline Ward (CMC) defeated the West Region's top-ranked doubles team of Maryann Zhao and Emily Chen 8-4 in a showdown of the West's top two doubles teams.
Pomona-Pitzer got its first point at No. 5 singles as Lynn Yen defeated Cruz in straight sets, 6-2 6-0. Kuosman made quick work of Zhao, 6-2, 6-2 and inched CMS closer to clinching at 4-1. Scott's clinching point came at No. 4 singles on a rather long rally that concluded with Scott's forehand shot down the line which Mae Coyiuto put a racket on, but was unable to return. Scott won the match 6-3, 6-4.
Smith at No. 6 singles (0-6, 6-4, 12-10) and Brown at No. 3 singles (4-6, 6-3, 6-4) also won their respective matches, while Ward lost to Casper (7-6, 2-6, 2-10) at the top of the lineup. Brown came back from down 3-2 in the third set to register the win.
By Chris Watts
Director of Athletics Communication
Claremont McKenna College
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