[1] Cassell was trained in Canberra at the Australian Institute of Sport but grew up in Brisbane, where she attended Lourdes Hill College.

In 1980 she had her best Australian Open performance, reaching the women's singles second round and doubles quarter-finals.

The following year she won two singles qualifying matches at Wimbledon, before falling in the final round.

[2][3] She made her perpetual profession in St Scholastica' College chapel at Glebe Point, Sydney.

Cassell attended Lourdes Hill College in Brisbane, a secondary school established in 1916 by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.