SMU Athletics

Claire Sessions Bailey – Women's Tennis 1989-92

Claire Sessions Bailey was a two-time Southwest Conference Champion and SWC Player of the Year at SMU from 1989-92. As a senior, she finished No. 26 in the ITA singles rankings after claiming the SWC No. 1 singles title and being named the SWC Player of the Year. She previously won the 1990 SWC No. 1 doubles title with Kim Gaido. Sessions-Bailey finished her SMU career ranked fourth all-time in singles wins (77) and was selected Second-Team SWC All-Decade. She was later the head coach for SMU from 1997-2000, finishing runner-up in the WAC in 1999 and making the semifinals in the other three seasons.

Finding My Own Game

"I won the No. 1 singles title in the Southwest Conference. I was named SWC Player of the Year and finished the season ranked No. 26 nationally. But the moment I’ll never forget? Beating Texas at home to clinch the SWC title." - Claire Sessions Bailey