MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Maria Lopez, a star with the Buccaneers from 2001-03, has been hired as the first full-time assistant coach with the Barry University women’s tennis program.
Lopez has been with the team as a part-time assistant for the last two seasons, including their championship run in 2011. She was named the ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2012.
She will assist with all aspects of the program, including recruiting, planning practices and games, and NCAA compliance.
“I could not be happier,” head coach Avi Kigel said. “Maria has been with our program for many years as a player and a volunteer assistant. She is an outstanding person with a great work ethic and uncanny ability to relate to student-athletes of today. Her hire is a great step forward for our program.”
Lopez was an ITA doubles All-American in 2001 and 2002, as she posted identical 21-8 marks at number one doubles with partner Victoria Courmes. For her career, she posted a 73-30 mark in doubles, ranking third all-time in wins for the Bucs. She also went 57-30 in singles, good for a tie for eighth.