Crystal Juan - Women's Tennis

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Sophomore Crystal Juan had a strong fall in doubles, earning All-America honors by reaching the ITA Cup Division III semifinals with first-year Anna Kern, but she was given the toughest singles challenge of her young career by moving up to No. 3 against Division II Hawaii Pacific, and she came through with a 6-2, 6-2 win to help CMS to a narrow 4-3 win on Saturday. 

As a first-year last spring, Juan compiled a 7-0 singles record in dual matches (8-3), with her toughest challenge in duals coming when she played at No. 6 against No. 18 Brandeis. With CMS opening up its season with a tough series of two matches against Hawaii Pacific, the No. 8 ranked team in Division II, the Athenas used different lineups on both days to give multiple players experience against tough competition. 

Juan and Kern picked up a doubles win in the first match on Friday, helping CMS to a 6-1 win, but the Saturday match proved to be much tighter. Hawaii Pacific earned the doubles point, and Juan was playing at the highest position on the Athena ladder in her young career, which put some pressure on her shoulders to try to help CMS to the win after starting out down 1-0. She came through with flying colors, though, earning a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win to help CMS gain the lead, meaning the Athenas would only need to win one of the two matches that went to three sets (captured by Sydney Lee at No. 5). 

CMS opened up its season with a 2-0 record and will return to action on Feb. 1 at home against another Division II power, UC San Diego, which will take place at 12 noon at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center.