CLAREMONT, Calif. - Ella Brissett of the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's tennis team earned the Region X Women's Student-Athlete of the Year Award from the Division III Commmissioners Association (D3CA), the organization announced today. 

These D3CA Student-Athlete of the Year Award recognizes graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and service throughout their collegiate careers. Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, serves as the presenting sponsor of these awards.

Graduating seniors were the only student-athletes eligible for nomination. Each conference was permitted to submit up to two nominees for each gendered award, and selection was based on four key areas - academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership, and a personal statement.

Brissett was a part of two national championships for the Athenas, winning the clinching point against Chicago as a first-year in 2022. She then had the biggest win in the run to a repeat title in 2023, when she came back for a three-set clincher in a 5-4 win over Pomona-Pitzer in the regional final. She ended her career as a two-time All-American in doubles. 

Off the court, Brissett graduated with over a 3.95 grade point average as a biology major at Claremont McKenna and was a first-team Academic All-American selection. earned the ITA Ann Lebedeff Leadership Award, the ITA Division III Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, and the SCIAC Character Award. 

Brissett was also actively involved in the campus community and beyond, serving as the founder and president of the Claremont Women Empowerment in Sports Club (WEIS). She has also been a college peer mentor for Women in STEM, a CMS Title IX Peer leader, a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Intern with the Keck Science Department, and a SAAC Representative.

Brissett has also volunteered with the House of Ruth, as a youth engagement volunteer at elementary schools, and at Casa el Buen Samaritano Medical Clinic, which provides free medical and women's care to the uninsured.

By earning the Region X honor, Brissett is now one of 10 finalists for the national D3CA Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year Award, which will be announced next month.