HOUSTON, Texas – Patrick Sullivan has resigned his position as Stephen F. Austin head tennis coach to accept a similar position at the University of Houston announced Director of Athletics Robert Hill Wednesday afternoon. Sullivan posted a 43-10 (.811) record in his two seasons on campus.
"I'm happy for Patrick and especially grateful to him for turning our women's tennis program into a conference champion in just two short years," said Hill. "He has left us with a good foundation for success over the next several years. We all wish him the best at Houston."
Sullivan's impact was felt very early in Nacogdoches. His squad posted a program-best 20-5 record during his first season on campus. He followed that up by bringing the nation's 23rd-ranked signing class, the top mid-major class in the nation, to SFA.
With only one senior on the roster, Sullivan's second squad went 23-5, won its first-ever Southland Conference regular-season and tournament title, achieved a No. 45 national ranking and advanced to the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history. The 'Jacks received a No. 3 seed in the tournament, which was the conference's highest seeded team in NCAA women's tournament history.
Sullivan was honored following the season earning SLC Coach of the Year honors. In addition to Sullivan's recognition from the conference, six players earned all-conference honors, including four first-team selections. Along with the conference honors, Sullivan also had several players receive national rankings, including the doubles team of Alina Shazhko and Jithmie Jayawickrema who were ranked as high as 17th in the nation during the 2012 campaign.
-SFA-
