Coaching Departure Causes Cancellation of Annual Pepsi Challenge

[NewsCopy]

 UL - The University of Louisiana’s athletic department announced Thursday that the Pepsi Challenge Women's Tennis Tournament scheduled for Sept. 26-28 has been canceled. The women's tennis head coaching vacancy and the delays caused by the resent hurricanes forced the department to make the decision, but UL officials feel it is the right choice for everyone involved.

"The athletic department did not want to sponsor a tournament that did not meet the expectations of the community and the visiting student-athletes,” Director of Athletics David Walker said. “We are hopeful that we will host this tournament next year."

The coaching void and hurricanes have given the women's tennis team a difficult time of late.

The Cajuns now look forward to the Ole Miss Fall Classic, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-12, in Oxford Miss. The Cajuns finish up their fall schedule with the ITA Regional in Dallas, Texas, Friday-Monday, Oct. 24-27.

The Ragin' Cajuns women’s tennis team finished the 2007-2008 season 16-8 in dual matches including one win against a ranked opponent. The team returns two 15 match winners in Kim Vander Der Horst and Myrthe Molenveld. The team also returns their top doubles team of Julie Mazinova and Molenveld.

RaginCajuns.com

[DestinCajun]

_ _

Ok,Ok, what the hey, I'll coach'em.

[cjr3888]

I didn't read the entire article, but is it true that there is no head coach? If that is the case, that is pitiful and a disgrace. How does the university expect these student-athletes to suceed without any direction. Granted, tennis is very different than other sports because the players are pretty much professionals by the time they are 15 but a head coach is still needed.

[DieHard1280]

_ Ok,Ok, what the hey, I'll coach'em. _

Wow, what a stand-up guy!

I would love to coach those young ladies myself. Too bad I'm such a lousy tennis player. Oh well.

[rhineaux]

_ I didn't read the entire article, but is it true that there is no head coach? If that is the case, that is pitiful and a disgrace. How does the university expect these student-athletes to suceed without any direction. Granted, tennis is very different than other sports because the players are pretty much professionals by the time they are 15 but a head coach is still needed. _

I was looking through the football program last night and noticed that there was a picture on there of a woman (can't remember her name) labeled as the women's tennis coach. What happened to her? Did I miss something?

[Turbine]

Click on forums, click on Lady Cajuns Tennis, there is a story on the coach being hired by Wyoming.

I don't know why UL didn't make an announcement sooner.
igeaux.mobi

[RaginDave]

Two years ago, I coached the Spotsy High Girls Tennis team, with the help of my wife, a former D-1 player from UC-Riverside. We had a fairly successfull season, our #1 player is now playing on the club team for a D-1 school in Va, with hopes of making the Varsity this year.

Since I am the most experienced tennis coach available on this forum, I believe I should take the job, and since these ladies are of age, i would perfer if my wife did not assist this year.