SAUNDRA CIMA

Background : Cima is a Carlsbad resident who makes her home in the La Costa area. She grew up in Norfolk, Va. and attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. Cima recently retired from United Airlines after 35 years as a flight attendant. She currently co-owns and manages a small oceanfront vacation resort in Carlsbad.

Volunteer title : Cima is co-coordinator of the Acura Classic ballpersons.

Numbers of years as tournament volunteer : Cima has served 15 years as an Acura Classic coordinator and a total of 18 years as a volunteer.

Favorite Acura Classic memory : “After Lindsay Davenport won the tournament in 1998, she shook hands with every ball person and personally thanked them for all of their hard work,” Cima said. “She is one of the very few to acknowledge the ballpersons personally and publicly during the tournament. They still talk about that,” Cima added, “She made them feel so fantastic. They all came back and said, ‘She shook our hands and said thank you!' ”

Favorite tournament match : Cima recalled a night doubles match several years ago involving Patricia Tarabini of Argentina who delighted the crowd with her antics. “No one went home. She made tennis fun,” Cima remembered. “She was just great and made tennis enjoyable.”

Favorite tennis player : Russia's Nadia Petrova. “She holds a very special and dear spot in our hearts. We keep in touch with her during the year,” Cima said. “Last year she did a clinic for the ball people on stadium court and she played doubles with three of the kids.”

Favorite place to play tennis : Cima, a part-time tennis player, lists playing on clay courts in Mallorca, Spain as her favorite place to play tennis. She also enjoys playing on her own court in her back yard.

Favorite book : The Outlanders book series by Diana Gabaldan, a New York Times bestselling author.

Favorite place to visit : Cima loves to travel. Her favorite spots to visit include Australia and New Zealand.

Favorite TV show : Fox News

Favorite hobby : Cima enjoys snow skiing, water skiing and kayaking.

Favorite movie : Cima says since she comes from a “flying family,” her favorite movie is, “The Right Stuff.”

Favorite musical artists : Her favorite musical artists include: Russell Watson, Sarah Brightman , Josh Groban and Andre Bocelli .