Cari Groce in her first year as coach of the Texas Tech women's tennis team, but Groce is by no means a newby to the world of college tennis, nor to Texas Tech. Groce played tennis at the University of Nebraska for four years and went on to play on the WTA Tour. Groce returned to Oklahoma State to be an assistant while she completed her undergraduate degree. Groce came to Texas Tech as a graduate assistant for one year and then went to Tulsa in 1990 where she received her first head-coaching job. In 1991, Groce headed to Washington State to become the head women's head coach and stayed there until 2003. Groce is nearing completion of her first year as the head coach of the women's tennis team here at Tech, and here are a few things she had to say....

Q. How did playing tennis in college help you to be a coach?

A. "It was just part of the process for me as I already knew I wanted to coach long before college. My father was the tennis coach at Oklahoma State University; I was groomed at a very young age to do what I do."

Q. What do you look for in a recruit?

A. "Discipline and athleticism."

Q. In your opinion, what is the best thing about Texas Tech?

A. "Facilities, campus, people, and being located in the state of TEXAS."

Q. What is your impression of the facilities and academics here at Tech?

A. "They are some of the best facilities around, and the academics offered at Tech make recruiting easy."

Q. So far, what is the best thing about coaching at Tech?

A. "My players and fellow coaches."

Q. What strengths does your assistant coach, Majorie Terburgh, bring to the coaching staff?

A. "She is so driven to be a great coach. Her knowledge and love for the game comes out daily in all she does. I am so lucky to have her. She motivates me everyday to be a better coach and a good mentor."

Q. What do the players from foreign countries bring to the team?

A. "Everyone brings something special to a team. We are all from different backgrounds and it is those differences that make us so strong. Those lucky enough to be a part of our program, leave here a better, more well-rounded person because of the exposure that takes place with teammates and coaches from around the globe."

Q. Talk a little about senior leadership on the team.

A. "Kendall (Brooks) and Irina (Tereschenko) are awesome, and I wish I could coach them for three more years."

Q. What do you enjoy most about Lubbock?

A. "My team. Everyday I get to go to work and be surrounded by young, happy, energetic people. They are having the time of their lives and I get to be a part of it!!!"

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