Case Western Reserve alumna and former women's tennis player Hannah Kassaie was announced as the University Athletic Association representative for the 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year Award on Wednesday after being honored by the Division III Commissioner's Association/Chi Alpha Sigma as the Region II Women's Student-Athlete of the Year earlier in the month.
Rooted in Title IX, the NCAA Woman of the Year Award was established in 1991 to recognize graduating female student-athletes who have completed their eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service, and leadership throughout their collegiate careers.
Kassaie graduated in three years with a 4.0 grade point average while majoring in nutritional sciences and chemistry. Each year in college, she partnered with an athlete with Down Syndrome to teach tennis and fitness activities weekly at a local tennis club, continuing the program online during the pandemic until they were able to return to in-person training.
She restarted the CWRU Thai Student Association in the spring of her first year on campus, volunteered at numerous organizations in Cleveland throughout her collegiate experience, and served as a tutor in her final year as a Spartan. She tutored international graduate and postdoctoral students in English to assist them with their spoken grammar, pronunciation, and comprehension. Kassaie served on the executive board of the French club and initiated what began as biweekly (later weekly) French conversational meetings focused on pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
"This is a wonderful recognition for Hannah. She truly excelled both on and off the court, representing the ideals of a model Division III student-athlete with her dedication to academics, athletics, and leadership," said CWRU James C. Wyant Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education TJ Shelton. "Her selection as a UAA Woman of The Year representative is well-deserved and reflects her hard work, commitment, and positive influence on her team and community."
A two-time First Team Academic All-America honoree, Kassaie was selected as the 2023 College Sports Communicators Division III Women's Tennis Academic All-American Team Member of the Year and earned NCAA Elite 90 honors in both 2023 and 2024. Additionally, she was chosen as the 2024 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Sally Ride STEM Award Winner.
Kassaie is the most decorated player in CWRU women's tennis history, earning six All-America honors in her career (three each in singles and doubles play). She was the 2024 UAA Player of the Year and a six-time First Team All-Association honoree between singles and doubles. Kassaie holds program records for career singles wins (68), career singles winning percentage (.861), career doubles winning percentage (.808), single-season singles wins (24), and single-season doubles wins (26). She is the only player in program history to reach the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championship and the singles draw of the prestigious national ITA Cup.
"This is a remarkable honor for Hannah, and I couldn't be prouder of her. She is the most accomplished player in CWRU women's tennis history and has an incredible college tennis resume with outstanding accolades both on and off the court," said CWRU Head Women's Tennis Coach Kirsten Gambrell McMahon. "What I really admire about Hannah is the exceptional teammate she has been and her willingness to go above and beyond for our program. Her unmatched determination and dedication to continue to put in the hard work each and every day is truly inspiring."
Last year, CWRU alumna Anika Washburn, formerly of the women's soccer team, became the first finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award in department history. She was honored at the NCAA Convention in January along with eight other finalists.
Top 30 honorees for the 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year Award, 10 from each of the three NCAA Divisions, will be announced later in the fall.
