Katie Dougherty has been awarded the Dunlop Coach of the Year for her exceptional leadership of the Maryland Women's Tennis Team, while Emma Ghirardato has been recognized as the ITA Player to Watch in the ITA Atlantic Regional Awards. In just seven seasons, Dougherty has transformed the program, leading to a record 18 wins and a remarkable 13-1 dual match record at home during the recent spring season. The team made history by reaching the Big Ten tournament semi-finals for the first time and qualifying for the NCAA championships for the first time since 2008. Ghirardato, a standout who transferred from Oklahoma, has excelled in both singles and doubles play, boasting a strong 17-7 singles record this season.

By the Numbers
  • Maryland Women's Tennis achieved a program record 18 wins this spring season.
  • The Terps set a program record with 8 conference wins in a single season.
  • Emma Ghirardato has an overall singles record of 17-7 and a doubles record of 22-12.
  • Ghirardato's UTR improved from 9.35 to 10.16 over the last year.
Yes, But

While Dougherty's achievements highlight her coaching excellence, the team's performance raises questions about future sustainability and maintaining this success in subsequent seasons.

State of Play
  • The Terps are experiencing heightened success with strong program growth and team spirit.
  • Maryland has recently qualified for NCAA championships, boosting their national visibility.
What's Next

Looking ahead, the team will aim to build on their recent accomplishments, including strengthening their recruitment efforts to maintain competitiveness in upcoming seasons.

Bottom Line

With Dougherty's leadership and Ghirardato's outstanding performance, Maryland Women's Tennis is poised for continued success and recognition, setting a new standard for the program's future.