NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University men’s tennis coach Aljosa Piric has accepted the head coach position at the University of Miami, as announced by school officials on Wednesday.
“I would like to thank Wood Selig and Bruce Stewart for first believing in me and giving me the opportunity to come to Old Dominion,” said Piric. “I would like to thank the entire athletic department, as well as tennis facility staff for everything they have done for me over the years. I would like to thank John Brinkman for his friendship and advice. Most of all I want to thank all my players, past and present, I loved being their coach. I will miss every one of them and I look forward to seeing them thrive and continue to advance not only in tennis but in life. Old Dominion, along with Norfolk, is a special place. My wife Jessica and I can’t express enough gratitude for the way this community has embraced us. We will very much miss being here.”
Piric goes to Coral Gables after five seasons with Old Dominion University, where he was recently named the 2016 Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year for the Atlantic Region. In his last two seasons in Norfolk, Va., he led the Monarchs to a 37-8 record, propelling them from unranked to a season-high No. 28 ITA mark in 2016.
After starting the past season 0-2 and then 2-3, the tennis Monarchs got on a roll, as they ended the year claiming victory in 19 of their last 21 matches and 21 of their last 24. At one point this season, Old Dominion won 12 in a row.
Old Dominion took down a total of four nationally ranked opponents this season: No. 25 NC State (4-1), No. 34 Dartmouth (4-3), No. 69 UNCW (6-1) and No. 70 William & Mary (4-0).
Piric led the Monarchs all the way to the championship match of the Conference USA Tournament. A total of nine of players were recognized for making the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Four players received Conference USA Player of the Week throughout the season.
In the fall, ODU’s double tandem consisting of Adam Moundir and Aziz Kijametovic claimed the Regional title and advanced to Nationals and the Billie Jean King Center in Flushing, New York.
The young ODU squad ended the season going 4-1 against conference opponents, a 21-5 overall record and with a No. 47 national ranking.
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