National Search for Women’s Tennis Coach to Begin
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico has initiated a national search for its next head women’s tennis coach, announced Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez.
The new head coach will officially replace Stephanie Wooten-Quijada, who stepped down for personal reasons during the Spring 2019 season. Vicky Maes, who was the assistant coach, served as the interim head coach for the 2019 season.
“I’d like to thank Stephanie for her time with UNM. This was a difficult decision for her and one that we respect. We wish her and her family nothing but the best,” said Nuñez. “Also, I’d like to compliment and thank Vicky Maes on the job she did stepping into the interim head coach role.”
The Lobos were 12-9 in 2019, going 4-1 in conference play and earning a share of the unofficial Mountain Division title. The Lobos return five of the top six singles and doubles players from last year’s team and will feature no seniors on the 2019-20 season. The team was also very strong in the classroom with six consecutive semesters above a 3.5 GPA, and a CoSIDA/Good Cloud Academic All-District selection in Yue Lin “Polly” Chen.
For Nuñez, he feels that the opening will attract some of the best from around the nation. “This is one of the best jobs in the Southwest United States, with tremendous facilities and commitment to the program. We have a terrific history with our program, and we have already seen strong interest from across the country.”
The Lobos play home matches outdoors at McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium, a nearly $2 million facility that opened in 2014. It has served as the host site of numerous events including the 2014 USTA/ITA Regional Championships and 2015 Mountain West Conference Championships. In summer 2015, the McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium was recognized as one of 13 winners in its 34th annual USTA Facility Awards Program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.
UNM also has six indoor courts located at the Estes Tennis Center across the street from McKinnon, as well as six addition outdoor courts there, giving Lobo tennis 18 courts to utilize for practices, camps and tournaments.