Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
In 1985 the Rhodes Women’s Tennis Team became one of only eight teams nationally to be selected for the NCAA Division III Tennis Championships. It wasn’t until the early ’80s the NCAA provided national championship opportunities for women. The 1984-85 Women’s Tennis Team was the first Rhodes women’s team to compete in an NCAA Division III National Championship event. Led by Coach Sarah Hatgas and the 1984 NCAA Division III singles runner-up and Rhodes Hall of Fame inductee, Laurie Laughlin, team members were: Mary Ann Fesmire, Stephanie Fuss, Laura Reasoner, Allison McCarthy, Audrey Weston, Lauren Martel and Darlene Jordan.
The 1984-85 team had a combined won-loss record of 15-4. Its only NCAA Division III loss was to Davidson. The three other losses were to NCAA Division I and II teams.
Selection for the No. 8 spot in the NCAA tournament came down to the March 23 match with rival Millsaps. Finishing doubles play down 2-1, the Lynx soundly defeated the Majors at 5 out of the 6 singles positions for a spot in the 1985 NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Championships.
The 1985 NCAA tournament was held on the campus of Haverford College in Pennsylvania. Drawing Franklin & Marshall in the first round, the women surged to a 2-1 lead after doubles. Rhodes remained in control of the match, winning No. 1 and No. 2 singles, but Franklin & Marshall pulled out wins at lines 3, 4, 5 and 6 to win the match 5-4.
The members of the 1984-85 Tennis Team set a standard of excellence and established a tradition of success for Rhodes tennis. In recognition of their outstanding season and the distinction they brought to their alma mater, Rhodes is honored to induct the 1984-85 Women’s Tennis Team into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this 21st day of October, 2011.
