LAKE NONA, Fla. – University of Chicago’s top-ranked women’s tennis team fell to second-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 5-3 on Wednesday afternoon in the 2023 NCAA Division III Championship Match.
The Maroons concluded a remarkable season as NCAA Runner-Up for the second-straight year, sporting a 23-1 overall record, which included a defeat of now-National Champion CMS.
“I told the team as far back as 2021 that a grade, an internship, or a win or a loss does not define who they are as people, and that couldn’t be more true than after today’s result”, commented Head Coach Jay Tee.
“All that the women accomplished this season was a direct result of their determination, grit, fight, and love for one another, and the finals loss doesn’t change who they are or what they’ve done. I wouldn’t trade the memories we made this season for anything because this team is so incredibly special.”
UChicago trailed 2-1 after the doubles competition, but continued to push the Athenas in singles. Victories from Nicole Geller and Shianna Guo momentarily tied the match score at 3-3 before CMS notched its final two wins to clinch the title.
The Maroons’ No. 2 doubles team of Claudia Ng and Perene Wang delivered for the third time at the NCAA Championships to get UChicago on the board. Geller and Guo both won in straights sets in singles to account for the Maroons’ three points scored.
Miranda Yuan forced a third set at No. 5 in thrilling fashion before falling in the third frame, which gave CMS the clinching point. Sylwia Mikos was also in a tight battle at No. 1 as her match went unfinished in three sets.
UChicago has now fallen to CMS in back-to-back seasons in the National Championship Match.