Friday, September 28, 2007

TCU gives women’s tennis coach Jeffrey Hammond new contract

By Pegasus News wire

TCU Athletics Director Danny Morrison has announced that women's tennis head coach Jefferson Hammond has agreed to a multi-year contract to remain at TCU.

Hammond was named the interim head coach last season, and guided the Horned Frogs to their fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

"Jefferson Hammond made a very positive impression in his first year as head coach," said Morrison. "We're excited about the continued momentum in the women's tennis program. Jefferson is an excellent fit at TCU and we're pleased to have him in this leadership role."

"It's an honor and a privilege to continue to be a part of one of the finest institutions in the United States," said Hammond. "I came here over three years ago from the University of Southern California with the expectation of great success. I look forward to continuing the process of building a tennis program that will not only show results on the court but will be reflective of the University's mission and goals off the court as well."

In his first season at the helm of the women's program, the Frogs put together a 17-11 overall record and finished the season ranked No. 38. TCU captured its second consecutive Mountain West Conference regular-season title and secured its fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance.

Hammond's first season was a record-breaking year in terms of individual performances. The doubles team of Ana Cetnik and Anna Sydorska earned All-America honors after advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA doubles championship. It marked only the second time in school history that a TCU doubles team advanced to that point. The tandem ended the season with TCU's highest doubles ranking at No. 3, and was named to the ITA All-Star team. Cetnik set a single-season record with 35 doubles victories, while Sydorska tied for second all-time with 34 wins.

Three TCU netters finished the 2007 season ranked in the Fila/ITA collegiate poll. Cetnik led the way at No. 45, followed by Sydorska at No. 91 and Nina Munch-Soegaard at No. 109. Cetnik, Munch-Soegaard, Kewa Nichols and Sydorska garnered All-MWC singles honors, while Cetnik and Sydorska also received all-conference doubles accolades. Munch-Soegaard was named the MWC Freshman of the Year.

Hammond came to TCU in the fall of 2004 as an assistant coach after serving the previous two seasons as volunteer assistant coach with the USC men's program. During his two seasons as assistant coach under Dave Borelli, the Frogs went 44-12 overall, including the school's first-ever trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2006.

The 2005 squad, led by Story Tweedie-Yates, who ended with TCU's second-highest ranking at No. 11, went 21-5 and finished No. 19 for the school's first top 20 finish since 1981. Hammond was named the 2006 Southwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year the following season after the Frogs recorded a 23-7 mark and finished ranked No. 15.

Hammond started his coaching career at University High in Irvine, Calif., in 2000 after serving as an assistant tennis pro at The Pointe Hilton on South Mountain in Phoenix. During his two-year stint with the boys' varsity tennis squad at University High, Hammond led his team to two California Interscholastic Federation team championships. Following the 2000 title, he was named the Orange County Register Coach of the Year. A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Hammond earned his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Vermont in 1993, where he was four-year starter on the tennis team with a .694 winning percentage in singles. As a senior, he was co-captain, and in 1992, he helped lead the Catamounts to the North Atlantic Conference championship. Following graduation, he spent time playing on the United States Tennis Association Pro Circuit.

Hammond and his wife, Amy, have two boys, Eric, 4, and Kevin, 2. The couple resides in Keller.

Posted by Alex B.

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