Women's tennis finds coach just in time

By John Mettala

A former assistant at Arizona was hired to head the women’s tennis team, Athletic Director Scott Johnson announced Tuesday.

Simon Thibodeau helped lead the Wildcats to two NCAA tournaments and was hired just in time to guide the Bulldogs into their first event of the season.

Former coach Kevin Epley resigned this month after three years as head coach. Epley will accept the same position at William & Mary.

Lucia Tallo, doubles partner of two-time All-American Chloe Carlotti, who was recruited by Epley and expressed her sadness at the Epley’s departure.

“ I was surprised but mainly sad for his leaving,” Tallo said.

Epley led the program to three NCAA tournament appearances and two Western Athletic Conference championships.

In 2002, Epley was named WAC coach of the year and led Fresno State to a program-best No. 8 national ranking. Fresno State finished the 2002-03 year with a 17-8 record.

Epley compiled a three-year record of 55-19, and the team ranked No. 20 in the nation. It marked the second time he led the Bulldogs to a top-20 finish.

Fresno State Associate Athletic Director Randy Welniak said he was very disappointed by Epley’s decision to leave, but that Epley took the job at William & Mary because tennis is the college’s best program.

Men’s tennis coach Brad Dancer—who coached at Arizona with Thibodeau—said although he was sad to see Epley leave, he was happy for him because the job at William & Mary is a great opportunity.

Fresno State replaced Epley with Thibodeau, who had previous head coaching experience at Arizona when Dancer left to become the men’s coach at Fresno State in 2001.

Even without Epley, Tallo did not put a limit on team expectations for the upcoming season.

“ With the coach’s decision to leave, I think the team will still have a good season, if we keep working hard enough,” Tallo said.

Tallo will get her chance to show her hard work this weekend when Fresno State hosts the ninth Annual Bulldog Classic at the Wathen Tennis Center.

Matches begin at 8 a.m. on Sept. 26 and continue throughout the weekend.