Teams: Women's Tennis: Press Releases

KATE BAYARD NAMED WOMEN'S TENNIS NORTHEAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Kate Bayard has a 44-25 record in four years as head coach at Tufts

MEDFORD -- Tufts University women's tennis coach Kate Bayard is the 2009 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Northeast Region Coach of the Year after being nominated by her peers and selected by a regional committee.

In her fourth season at Tufts, Bayard's program has enjoyed outstanding success this season. It began in the fall when sophomore Julia Browne (Old Brookville, NY) won the ITA New England Region singles championship on September 28. Browne and doubles partner Meghan McCooey (Cumberland, RI), who were ITA Regional runner-up, then won the Division 3 doubles title at the 2008 ITA National Small College Championships on October 17.

In the spring season, Tufts earned its fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth under Bayard's guidance and received a first-round bye. With an exciting 5-4 victory over Bowdoin in the second round, the Jumbos reached the NCAA regional final for the second time of Bayard's tenure. Tufts finished with a 10-6 record overall, including 6-3 against conference opponents. The team played into the NESCAC Tournament semi-finals for the second consecutive year.

Browne and McCooey have both qualified to play at the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships in Lawrenceville, Georgia May 22-24. At last year's NCAA Singles competition, McCooey played into the semi-final round.

In the May 1, 2009 ITA rankings release, Tufts is #19 nationally and #4 in the Northeast. Browne is the #1 ranked player in the Northeast, McCooey is #12. Together they are the #1 ranked doubles pair in the Northeast.

Bayard was NESCAC Coach of the Year and Browne was Player of the Year for this season. In addition to the team's success on the court, Bayard's Coach of the Year award is reflective of the team's sportsmanship and camaraderie.

►2009 ITA Division 3 Regional Award Winners

#