The Dartmouth women's tennis team enjoyed an excellent season this year, garnering a top-70 national ranking while garnering a slew of impressive victories. An integral part of this resurgence was the outstanding play and leadership of captain Cat Crandall '04.
Crandall's gritty play and kind demeanor have remained a constant part of Dartmouth women's tennis for the last four years. The Harvard, Mass. native has started in the top six ever since her freshman year, and thereby was one of those uniquely talented players who competed in the lineup for her entire career.
Crandall began to play tennis under the tutelage of her father, who played collegiate tennis at the University of Southern California. Despite her father's success, Crandall never felt pressured to follow in his footsteps; rather, she embraced the sport on her own. As a young child, Crandall would oftentimes greet her father upon his return from work with racquet in hand, waiting for another chance to hit the courts.
While working on her burgeoning tennis talent, Crandall still competed successfully in a variety of sports during her youth, including soccer, basketball and cross-country. It was not until after her sophomore year in high school that she dedicated her full attention to her tennis game in the hope of joining a college team.
Even before her arrival in Hanover, Crandall amassed an impressive array of achievements. As a junior player, she earned a USTA national ranking of 165 and was ranked the No. 10 competitor in the New England region. An alumnus of Broomfield School, Crandall attained the MVP award for the tennis team in both her junior and senior seasons. Additionally, she was named the school's best female athlete following her senior year.
She continued to excel on the courts in college competition, stepping into a key role on the Big Green as a first-year player. A highlight of her freshman year came during an Ivy League tilt against Brown. Playing fourth singles and No. 2 doubles, Crandall picked up two clutch victories to help spur the Big Green to a tight 5-2 conference win.
Crandall continued to grow as a player and a leader throughout her four years in Hanover, and by her senior campaign she occupied the second position in the singles ladder in addition to serving as team captain.
"Over the four years, I found myself giving more of myself and getting into more of a leadership role," Crandall said. "At the same time I feel like I've matured a lot in just being myself and being able to stand up for myself."
Her teammates especially valued Crandall's generous nature and her willingness to talk to the coaches or individual team members about important issues concerning the team.
"Cat really epitomizes being your own person and standing for what you believe is right, and she was a great leader in this regard," Lindsay Winingham '07 said.
Another defining feature of Crandall's leadership abilities was her readiness to give her full effort in every activity, ranging from a critical Ivy League match to a routine practice or workout.
"She inspired us all in so many ways," Sarah McNally '05 said. "By always giving 150 percent, Cat showed each one of us what it means to be a real teammate. Most importantly, she has established a precedence that the entire Dartmouth team can only strive to reach by our senior spring."
"Cat is an incredibly positive person with an upbeat personality," Dartmouth head coach Bob Dallis added. "As a co-captain she really set an example for the team with her strong work ethic, but at the same time she was always smiling and quick to laugh."
During her final year, Crandall led not only off the court but set an example with her tenacious play. The superb senior seemed to find herself embroiled in a thrilling three-set encounter every time the Big Green took the court.
As a player, Crandall relied primarily on her solid all-around game, highlighted by a powerful serve and forehand in addition to exceptional court movement. Beyond those skills, Crandall also consistently displayed an impressive drive to win that endeared her to the fans that watched the team's home matches.
The combination of her excellent tennis game, leadership ability, and especially her caring and cheerful nature has made her the ideal teammate for four years, and she will be sorely missed by all those associated with Dartmouth women's tennis.
"In the three years and more -- I played juniors with her -- that I have been playing tennis with Cat, she has always brought such enthusiasm and love for the game every time you step on the court," Evie Stevens '05 said. "Off the court she is a great friend and teammate, always with a smile on her face, and someone you could always talk to. I am surely going to miss having her and her love for life and tennis next year on the team."
