Justine Leong Captures SCIAC Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week Accolades

CLAREMONT, Calif. - First-year Justine Leong added to her growing list of awards in her rookie season of collegiate competition by earning the SCIAC Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week for events through Sunday, Jan. 19, the league office announced today.

Leong, who was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Division III Player of the Month for October after sweeping championships in both the ITA Cup Division III singles and doubles (along with Catherine Allen), added to her win total by winning both of her matches against Hawaii Pacific, ranked No. 8 in Division II. Leong played No. 1 singles in both contests, and took a 6-4, 6-3 win on Friday in a 6-1 CMS victory, and followed up with a tight 6-4, 7-5 win on Saturday in a narrow 4-3 Athena triumph. 

For the year, Leong now stands at 13-1 in singles, with the only loss coming to Jada Hart of UCLA in the second round of the ITA Fall Nationals. She was pushed to three sets by Ghazal Pakbaten of Division II Concordia Irvine before winning 2-6, 6-1, 12-10 in the fall, but the rest of her wins have all been straight sets, including a 6-1, 6-2 win over Janice Shin of Stanford in the first round of the ITA Fall Nationals. 

Leong also added a doubles win this weekend, playing at No. 2 with sophomore Sarah Bahsoun and picking up a 6-4 victory on Saturday. 

CMS will be back in action on Feb. 1 for its first home dual match of the spring season, when it welcomes in Division II power UC San Diego (which is in transition to Division I) for a 12 noon contest.