URBANA, Ill. – After officially taking over the helm of the Illinois women's tennis program in June, Evan Clark has announced that Kelly Cameron will be retained as the team's assistant coach. Cameron joined the Fighting Illini family prior to the 2015-16 season when Clark was named Illinois' interim head coach and helped lead the Illini to a memorable season.
"I am extremely pleased to be able to bring Kelly back to the Fighting Illini women's tennis program," Clark shared. "We have achieved a lot of success together, both when she was a player and most recently this past year as my assistant. Kelly had a huge impact on our program during the 2015-16 season and I know she will help our program achieve success at the highest level. Most importantly, you cannot find someone with higher character than Kelly, as she will continue to set a wonderful example for our student-athletes in the years to come. We are all very excited for her to continue to be a part of the Illini family."
Under the tutelage of Clark and Cameron, the 2015-16 season was one for the books. The squad posted a 15-9 dual record, which included an 8-3 reading in Big Ten play, for its best marks since the 2012 campaign. Additionally, the Illini advanced to the team's first Big Ten Tournament Semifinal match since the 2012 season. The team returns everyone but Emily Barretta who graduated.
"I am honored and humbled to continue as the assistant coach for this tremendous program," stated Cameron. "I would like to thank Evan for presenting me this opportunity and I could not be happier to work alongside his leadership again. I am incredibly excited to continue to build on the progress that was made last season and I am looking forward to working hard with Evan and the student-athletes to help this program continue its success. I am proud to be a part of Illinois Athletics and I could not be more excited to get this year started."
Cameron, a 2014 graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), played under 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 the University of North Georgia (UNG). With the UNG Nighthawks, Cameron assisted in the development of practice plans in addition to providing individualized coaching during matches. The Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, native also helped with the evaluation and recruitment process of prospective athletes.
As a student-athlete at UNCW, Cameron earned a B.A. in health and physical education while also compiling a 52-21 overall singles record. As a senior in 2014, she worked to a 10-4 singles record in dual play in addition to an impressive 13-2 mark when working in tandem. Additionally, 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.
During Cameron's senior season, she 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. Cameron earned the 2014 Pat Howey Outstanding Student-Athlete Leadership Award for her exceptional efforts and dedication during the Seahawks' pivotal season. The 2008 3A South Carolina High School Tennis State Champion was also an ITA Academic All-American during all four of her seasons playing with the Seahawks.
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