By Eliana Shenk ’24, staff writer
The women’s tennis team welcomes a new head coach as they prepare to compete in the new conference.
Dr. Noëlle Vahanian, professor of philosophy, is now also the women’s tennis head coach. She joins her husband Dr. Jeff Robbins, who is the women’s assistant coach and new men’s tennis head coach. Together, they look to lead both teams to success.
Vahanian competed at the United States Tennis Association national level in singles and previously volunteered to coach children. Tennis is also a central part of her family with her husband coaching and her son playing in college.
“It’s a way where you can discover who you are, what your strengths are and how resilient you are,” she said. “As a coach, I’m hoping that I’m a good mentor to players. I want them to flourish and enjoy playing as a team, and to find a way to navigate what it means to be a student-athlete and support each other.”
After over two decades of coaching from previous coach Joy Graeff, this transition is a major change for the program. The team is returning from back-to-back championship wins in the MAC Commonwealth conference under Graeff and interim head coach Robbins last spring.
“It’s also obviously very intimidating because there’s a big tradition here,” Vahanian said. “It’s hard to step into someone else’s shoes, like Joy Graeff, who was really a good coach in terms of everything she gave to the team throughout the years and the successes of the team.”
Despite the history of the program, Vahanian brings a valuable change in perspective as the team enters the MAC Freedom conference. Many of the players are excited to see the changes she will bring.
“I’m looking forward to having a new energy at practice,” Sarah Kramer, a junior tennis player, said. “I’m excited to see the relationships that will be built between the players and the coach and how those relationships will help us on the court.”
The players have high hopes for their season this year because of their talent and the skills Vahanian is helping them build. Even with entering the more competitive MAC Freedom conference, the players are not dropping their expectations to be a high caliber team. However, Vahanian also recognizes the importance of what it means to be an athlete and part of a team.
“Players have to play for the sport, not for their coach,” Vahanian said. “Players have to play for the team because they love the game. I think the coach can be there to create that atmosphere, encourage that atmosphere and get you to where you want to get to, but the prize isn’t for me, it’s for you.”
Vahanian has already led the team to success throughout the fall season. She hopes to continue finding success once the competitive conference play begins in the spring.
