Tennis History
The University of North Alabama women’s tennis program began in 1975 under coach Nancy Vance. In recent years, members of the UNA women’s tennis program have earned All-Gulf South Conference honors, and Academic All-Gulf South Conference awards, while also being selected for the GSC Sportsmanship award and the GSC Freshman of the Year award. In 1987, Kimi Juergens and Yvette Butler earned All-Gulf South Conference honors while helping lead the Lions to the GSC team championship.
In 2010, Mallory Waites received first-team honors on the Gulf South Conference All-Decade team. The Birmingham native played for the Lions from 2007-10, earning All-GSC honors all four years. She was a three-time second team All-GSC selection and earned first-team honors as a junior in 2009. Waites was also named the GSC East Division Freshman of the Year following the 2007 campaign.
Former head coaches Sharman Coley and Kevin Bradford were named Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1992, respectively. As a team, the Lions advanced to the NCAA Division II South Regional Tournament 10 years in a row from 1999 to 2008. Following a two-year absence, UNA returned to the post-season in 2011.
In 2018, the Lions made the move to the NCAA Division I and completed their four-year transition period in 2022.
WOMEN’S HISTORY AT A GLANCE
FIRST YEAR OF WOMEN’S TENNIS: 1975
GSC CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1987
TEAMS IN NCAA REGIONAL TOURNAMENT: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011
