As a freshman phenom on the CofC women's tennis team, Diane Gilruth went 25-1 during the regular season. She placed second in the state championships and sixth in regionals. Gilruth and teammate Lori Wilkerson won the state doubles title and qualified for AIAW Nationals. Gilruth won the renowned Sugar Bowl Classic in New Orleans in the fall of 1978, and then led the Cougars to a 13-1 record that spring. She went on to capture the AIAW small college national championship during her junior campaign and was twice named an AIAW All-American.