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Tran Selected to Lead Women’s Tennis Program

7/13/2021 11:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

She becomes the fourth coach to guide the program

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The last time Mai-Ly Tran shared a tennis court with Colorado State, she couldn't have asked for a more impressive result. Now, she'll be looking to find the same success while guiding the Rams' women's tennis team as Director of Athletics Joe Parker announced Tran to lead the program on Tuesday.
 
Tran becomes just the fourth head coach in program history, and the second woman, following Lois Nieder, who guided the Rams' the first 14 seasons of play, beginning in 1975-76. This will be her second head-coaching stint.

"I would like to thank President Joyce McConnell, Joe Parker, Steve Cottingham, Shalini Shanker and the entire Colorado State Athletic Department for this incredible opportunity," Tran said. "I am excited to bring a new vision, energy and passion to the future of the women's tennis program under their strong leadership."

Tran is coming off a successful run as Drake's head coach the past five seasons, including the first Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship since 2000, a trip to the NCAA Tournament and a 7-0 sweep of Colorado State on the Bulldogs' home court. Since taking over the program in 2017, Tran has guided the team to 50-46 record, 11-11 in conference play and a regular-season championship in the 2018 campaign, when she was named the conference Coach of the Year.
 
Drake's NCAA appearance was just the third in program history. She coached the 2018 Freshman of the Year, had eight players named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete team and mentored nine All-MVC singles selections with four more earning doubles recognition.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Mai-Ly Tran to Colorado State as our next women's tennis coach," Parker said. "Our aim from the outset of the search was to identify an individual with the desire to elevate the program in the Mountain West and compete for championships. In Coach Tran, we found an individual who is passionate about developing and challenging our student-athletes on the court and in the classroom, while creating a winning and supportive culture among the team. Mai-Ly not only matched, but exceeded our criteria for a successful leader."
 
Prior to her first lead post, she spent three years as an assistant at her alma mater, Cal State Fullerton. While there, the Titans complied a 35-33 record, with nine players earning All-Big West playing honors, 11 more earning academic awards. In 2016-17, the program produced its most successful season with 17 victories.
 
Prior to starting her collegiate coaching career, Tran served as the Director of Tennis at Hope International University, then coached four years at Orange Lutheran High School.
 
As a player at Cal State Fullerton from 2004-2007, she garnered All-Big West second-team honors in doubles. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 2008.

"CSU and Fort Collins is a wonderful community, and I am honored and grateful to join the Ramily," she said. "I feel fortunate to inherit an incredibly talented group of young women, and I'm eager to begin our quest for a Mountain West Championship."
 
Tran File
Head Coaching Career
Drake University, 2017-2021
50-46 overall record
2021 NCAA Tournament
2021 MVC Tournament Champions
2018 MVC Regular-Season Title

Assistant Coaching Career
Cal State Fullerton, 2014-2016

Collegiate Playing Career
Cal State Fullerton, 2004-2007
Second-Team All-Big West, doubles, 2007
 
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