Kelly Cameron Joins Davidson W. Tennis Staff
8/1/2017 2:31:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Gavin McFarlin - Associate SID
DavidsonPhotos.com
DAVIDSON, N.C. — First-year head coach Susanne Depka announced the hiring of Kelly Cameron as the new women's tennis assistant coach for the 2017-18 season.
Cameron joins the program after a two-year stint as an assistant women's tennis coach at the University of Illinois.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Kelly to Davidson and the women's tennis program," said Depka. "Kelly's positive outlook is incredible and extremely infectious, which will make a huge impact on our program. Her work ethic, experience, and desire to develop the athletes not only on and off the court will fit perfectly with our culture."
Illinois wrapped up the 2017 campaign with a 14-13 record and a 7-4 mark in the Big Ten. Cameron coached five Illini who garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors this past season. In 2016, the women's tennis team went 15-9 in Cameron's first season, the first 15-win season for the program since 2012.
The Fighting Illini finished fourth in the Big Ten Conference both seasons, while reaching the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time since 2012. They were ranked as high as No. 45 nationally during Cameron's tenure and Tennis Recruiting named Illinois the No. 8 and No. 15 ranked recruiting classes in the nation for 2017.
"I could not be more excited to begin working at Davidson College," said Cameron. "I'd like to thank head coach Susanne Depka for believing in me and for giving me this incredible opportunity to serve as her assistant. I am really looking forward to getting on campus, meeting the student-athletes, and working hard to continue the culture Susanne has helped establish. Davidson College is a beautiful and prestigious institution, and I feel extremely grateful to be joining such a tremendous community."
A 2014 graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Cameron played under current Illini head coach Evan Clark during his two seasons at the helm of the Seahawks' program.
Following her graduation from UNCW, Cameron served as a graduate assistant tennis coach with both the men's and women's programs at North Georgia. With the Nighthawks, Cameron assisted in the development of practice plans in addition to providing individualized coaching during matches. She also helped with the evaluation and recruitment process of prospective athletes.
Cameron's career at UNCW saw her compile a 52-21 overall singles record. As a senior in 2014, she registered a 10-4 singles record in dual play in addition to an impressive 13-2 mark in doubles action. Cameron helped the Seahawks to the program's first CAA conference tournament title as well as the first NCAA tournament berth. UNCW also claimed the regular season CAA title during the 2013-14 campaign.
The Hilton Head Island, S.C., native earned the 2014 Pat Howey Outstanding Student-Athlete Leadership Award for her exceptional efforts and dedication during the Seahawks' pivotal season. During her junior year of action, Cameron was named to the Colonial Athletic Association Conference's Second Team for her success in both singles and doubles competition.
Cameron was an ITA Academic All-American all four of her seasons playing with the Seahawks. As a student-athlete at UNCW, Cameron was a four-time Dean's List honoree and graduated with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education. She went on to earn her master's degree in physical education at North Georgia in 2016, carrying a 4.0 grade point average.
DAVIDSON, N.C. — First-year head coach Susanne Depka announced the hiring of Kelly Cameron as the new women's tennis assistant coach for the 2017-18 season.
Cameron joins the program after a two-year stint as an assistant women's tennis coach at the University of Illinois.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Kelly to Davidson and the women's tennis program," said Depka. "Kelly's positive outlook is incredible and extremely infectious, which will make a huge impact on our program. Her work ethic, experience, and desire to develop the athletes not only on and off the court will fit perfectly with our culture."
Illinois wrapped up the 2017 campaign with a 14-13 record and a 7-4 mark in the Big Ten. Cameron coached five Illini who garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors this past season. In 2016, the women's tennis team went 15-9 in Cameron's first season, the first 15-win season for the program since 2012.
The Fighting Illini finished fourth in the Big Ten Conference both seasons, while reaching the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time since 2012. They were ranked as high as No. 45 nationally during Cameron's tenure and Tennis Recruiting named Illinois the No. 8 and No. 15 ranked recruiting classes in the nation for 2017.
"I could not be more excited to begin working at Davidson College," said Cameron. "I'd like to thank head coach Susanne Depka for believing in me and for giving me this incredible opportunity to serve as her assistant. I am really looking forward to getting on campus, meeting the student-athletes, and working hard to continue the culture Susanne has helped establish. Davidson College is a beautiful and prestigious institution, and I feel extremely grateful to be joining such a tremendous community."
A 2014 graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Cameron played under current Illini head coach Evan Clark during his two seasons at the helm of the Seahawks' program.
Following her graduation from UNCW, Cameron served as a graduate assistant tennis coach with both the men's and women's programs at North Georgia. With the Nighthawks, Cameron assisted in the development of practice plans in addition to providing individualized coaching during matches. She also helped with the evaluation and recruitment process of prospective athletes.
Cameron's career at UNCW saw her compile a 52-21 overall singles record. As a senior in 2014, she registered a 10-4 singles record in dual play in addition to an impressive 13-2 mark in doubles action. Cameron helped the Seahawks to the program's first CAA conference tournament title as well as the first NCAA tournament berth. UNCW also claimed the regular season CAA title during the 2013-14 campaign.
The Hilton Head Island, S.C., native earned the 2014 Pat Howey Outstanding Student-Athlete Leadership Award for her exceptional efforts and dedication during the Seahawks' pivotal season. During her junior year of action, Cameron was named to the Colonial Athletic Association Conference's Second Team for her success in both singles and doubles competition.
Cameron was an ITA Academic All-American all four of her seasons playing with the Seahawks. As a student-athlete at UNCW, Cameron was a four-time Dean's List honoree and graduated with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education. She went on to earn her master's degree in physical education at North Georgia in 2016, carrying a 4.0 grade point average.
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