Garcia takes dual roll after resignation of women's tennis coach
Kavita Thakkar
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Sports
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The women's tennis team has been adjusting to the shock of Coach Tom Lowry's official resignation Oct. 22, but men's tennis coach Carlos Garcia has stepped in to help.
Garcia recently took the women to Columbia, S.C. for the Southern Intercollegiate Championships.
"For now, I have just tried to advise the girls as much as possible," Garcia said. "I have been hitting with them one-on-one, giving them instruction and just trying to be a guiding light during this transition.
In addition to Garcia, senior and captain Lindsey Ballard of Lilburn, Ga., has aided in coaching the women's team.
Ballard also claimed the Flight B-1 Singles title this past weekend, going undefeated against players from Wofford, College of Charleston and East Tennessee State University.
"Lindsey has been stepping up to be a great captain right now," Garcia said. "[She] is helping out the girls while we search for a new coach."
There will be many changes this year for the women's tennis program, and the team said they are looking forward to see what a new coach will bring and ways their games can improve even more.
"The girls are left wondering which direction the team is headed right now, but I believe, with a new coach, there is going to be much new energy brought to the team," Garcia said.
However, finding a new coach for the team is a long, drawn-out process, but officials in the athletic department said the plan is to have one picked out by Christmas.
For now, there is a search committee, appointed by UTC, that is processing applications for new coaches. After reviewing all of the applicants the committee will pick three to five finalists by the end of the month.
Once they have decided on the finalists they will have them visit UTC for an interview. Also during their visit, they will tour the campus and meet the women's team. Only after this procedure will a new coach be decided, according to the committee.
Garcia said a new coach means a lot of excitement and new energy.
"I am really excited about what a new coach could bring to the program."
He also said bringing in a new coach means bringing in lots of new ideas. It would be two heads working together instead of just one.
"While Lowry coached the team, I think he did very well and he managed it well too, but I think this season a new coach is going to be a great asset, bringing great ideas to our tennis program," Garcia said.
The Tournament in S.C. last weekend was the final competition of the women's fall schedule.
However, the Lady Mocs will be back in action with a new schedule and coach in the Spring 2008.
Garcia recently took the women to Columbia, S.C. for the Southern Intercollegiate Championships.
"For now, I have just tried to advise the girls as much as possible," Garcia said. "I have been hitting with them one-on-one, giving them instruction and just trying to be a guiding light during this transition.
In addition to Garcia, senior and captain Lindsey Ballard of Lilburn, Ga., has aided in coaching the women's team.
Ballard also claimed the Flight B-1 Singles title this past weekend, going undefeated against players from Wofford, College of Charleston and East Tennessee State University.
"Lindsey has been stepping up to be a great captain right now," Garcia said. "[She] is helping out the girls while we search for a new coach."
There will be many changes this year for the women's tennis program, and the team said they are looking forward to see what a new coach will bring and ways their games can improve even more.
"The girls are left wondering which direction the team is headed right now, but I believe, with a new coach, there is going to be much new energy brought to the team," Garcia said.
However, finding a new coach for the team is a long, drawn-out process, but officials in the athletic department said the plan is to have one picked out by Christmas.
For now, there is a search committee, appointed by UTC, that is processing applications for new coaches. After reviewing all of the applicants the committee will pick three to five finalists by the end of the month.
Once they have decided on the finalists they will have them visit UTC for an interview. Also during their visit, they will tour the campus and meet the women's team. Only after this procedure will a new coach be decided, according to the committee.
Garcia said a new coach means a lot of excitement and new energy.
"I am really excited about what a new coach could bring to the program."
He also said bringing in a new coach means bringing in lots of new ideas. It would be two heads working together instead of just one.
"While Lowry coached the team, I think he did very well and he managed it well too, but I think this season a new coach is going to be a great asset, bringing great ideas to our tennis program," Garcia said.
The Tournament in S.C. last weekend was the final competition of the women's fall schedule.
However, the Lady Mocs will be back in action with a new schedule and coach in the Spring 2008.
