Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Kreis named Interim Women’s Tennis Head Coach
2/23/2024 9:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee Athletics has announced John Kreis as the interim women's tennis head coach while MTSU Head Coach Tayo Bailey-Duvall will be out on maternity leave.
"Congratulations to Coach Tayo Bailey-Duvall and her husband Brett on the birth of their second child," said MTSU Athletic Director Chris Massaro. "We're ecstatic to welcome a new member to the Blue Raider family and wish the Bailey-Duvall family well as they welcome their newest member home."
Kreis joined Jimmy Borendame's Middle Tennessee men's tennis coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in fall 2016, after being hired by the Adams Tennis Complex in Murfreesboro as its first professional in April. Kreis has played a key part in MTSU's success under Borendame with the Blue Raiders winning four straight Conference USA titles during his time with the team.
Kreis previously held the position of Director of Tennis at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club in Norfolk, Virginia, since 2006. Along with his experience at tennis clubs and resorts, Kreis had head coaching stints at Tennessee, Mississippi State and Alabama. He is responsible for 8 All-Americans, 22 All-SEC performers, and 11 Academic All-SEC award winners.
"John Kreis has been an essential resource for MTSU tennis since the opening of the Adams Tennis Complex in 2016 and will provide world-class coaching to the women's program as the interim head coach," Massaro said. "With John recently joining Middle Tennessee as the new Operations Manager for the on-campus Outdoor Tennis Facility and having his wealth of experience as a coach of All-Americans in the SEC, this decision will help ensure our women's tennis program continues their pursuit of excellence the rest of the 2024 season."
In the mid-1990s, Kreis served as chairman of the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Committee, directing the largest amateur tennis event in the world during the 1996 Championship at the University of Georgia and 1997 Championship in Los Angeles. During a five-year stint on the Committee, he helped guide the NCAA Tennis Championships from a 20-team event to a 64-team event with 8 regional qualifiers.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to be associated with the MTSU Tennis family and coach Borendame's Men's team since 2017," said Kreis. "I am extremely grateful to MTSU and Coach Tayo Bailey-Duvall to have faith in me to help guide the Women's program as she takes leave and celebrates the birth of her second child. I have tremendous support from Assistant Coach Luisa Zirilli, Volunteer Assistant Scott Kathary, and a hard-working group of young ladies. I look forward to working with them and I'm excited to support them as they compete for MTSU."
FOLLOW THE BLUE RAIDERS
Follow Middle Tennessee men's tennis on social media on Facebook (BlueRaiderMensTennis), Twitter (MT_MensTennis) and Instagram (MT_MensTennis).
"Congratulations to Coach Tayo Bailey-Duvall and her husband Brett on the birth of their second child," said MTSU Athletic Director Chris Massaro. "We're ecstatic to welcome a new member to the Blue Raider family and wish the Bailey-Duvall family well as they welcome their newest member home."
Kreis joined Jimmy Borendame's Middle Tennessee men's tennis coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in fall 2016, after being hired by the Adams Tennis Complex in Murfreesboro as its first professional in April. Kreis has played a key part in MTSU's success under Borendame with the Blue Raiders winning four straight Conference USA titles during his time with the team.
Kreis previously held the position of Director of Tennis at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club in Norfolk, Virginia, since 2006. Along with his experience at tennis clubs and resorts, Kreis had head coaching stints at Tennessee, Mississippi State and Alabama. He is responsible for 8 All-Americans, 22 All-SEC performers, and 11 Academic All-SEC award winners.
"John Kreis has been an essential resource for MTSU tennis since the opening of the Adams Tennis Complex in 2016 and will provide world-class coaching to the women's program as the interim head coach," Massaro said. "With John recently joining Middle Tennessee as the new Operations Manager for the on-campus Outdoor Tennis Facility and having his wealth of experience as a coach of All-Americans in the SEC, this decision will help ensure our women's tennis program continues their pursuit of excellence the rest of the 2024 season."
In the mid-1990s, Kreis served as chairman of the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Committee, directing the largest amateur tennis event in the world during the 1996 Championship at the University of Georgia and 1997 Championship in Los Angeles. During a five-year stint on the Committee, he helped guide the NCAA Tennis Championships from a 20-team event to a 64-team event with 8 regional qualifiers.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to be associated with the MTSU Tennis family and coach Borendame's Men's team since 2017," said Kreis. "I am extremely grateful to MTSU and Coach Tayo Bailey-Duvall to have faith in me to help guide the Women's program as she takes leave and celebrates the birth of her second child. I have tremendous support from Assistant Coach Luisa Zirilli, Volunteer Assistant Scott Kathary, and a hard-working group of young ladies. I look forward to working with them and I'm excited to support them as they compete for MTSU."
FOLLOW THE BLUE RAIDERS
Follow Middle Tennessee men's tennis on social media on Facebook (BlueRaiderMensTennis), Twitter (MT_MensTennis) and Instagram (MT_MensTennis).
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