Feb. 14, 2006

Lubbock, Texas - Texas Tech women's tennis head coach Cari Groce has been named the U.S. Professional Tennis Registry Jim Verdieck National Coach of the Year.

The award was a nomination process and to be nominated, the member must have demonstrated the highest standards in the coaching of players or teams, displayed not only their accomplishments as players, but in their character as well. Areas of consideration include team accomplishments, players' rankings, academic performance of players/team, speaking engagements and public relations performance and published works.

Groce is in her third season at the helm of the Lady Raider tennis program with a record of 21-23 and an overall head coaching record of 171-154 (15 years). The squad is currently ranked No. 60 in the ITA poll and is sitting at 4-1 on the season. Senior Tara Browning is ranked No. 75 in the nation in singles play and the doubles pair of Katja Kovacic and Erin Hunter is listed at No. 23 in the nation.

Lady Raider tennis will continue its six-week road trip with matches at Mississippi State, on Sat., Feb. 18, and at Alabama, on Sun., Feb. 19.