URBANA, Ill. – Illinois women's tennis head coach, Evan Clark, announced the addition of former Illini All-American, Melissa Kopinski to his staff on Thursday morning. Kopinski most recently served as a volunteer assistant coach at Texas Tech University for the past two seasons.

"I am thrilled to welcome back Melissa to the Illini family," said head coach Evan Clark. "She understands what a special place the University of Illinois is and she brings an unmatched level of passion towards seeing our program succeed. Melissa is one of the most decorated players in Illinois women's tennis history and I know she is equally excited to be given the opportunity to leave her mark as a coach. Our program is on the cusp of doing great things and with her experience at Texas Tech we know that will only translate into helping our program take the next step. Above all, Melissa is a tremendous person with high character qualities. I know she will set a positive and professional example for our team on a daily basis. We are excited to her back to the orange and blue."

Kopinski returns to her alma mater after spending two seasons in Lubbock, Texas with the Texas Tech Red Raiders women's tennis team. Texas Tech finished the 2016-17 season atop the Big 12 Conference standings with an 8-1 record in conference play. With Kopinski's assistance, the team ended the 2017 dual match season in the NCAA Elite Eight with a 27-5 record.

"I am so excited to be returning to Champaign," said Kopinski. "Coach Clark has done a phenomenal job these past few years building this program and I am extremely eager to continue that as an assistant coach."  

The Palos Hills, Illinois native, earned ITA All-America honors in doubles in 2013 after advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals in the doubles draw. Along with partner, Rachael White, the tandem finished the 2013 campaign ranked No. 15 in the final ITA doubles rankings. The duo's 28-13 record in 2013 sits at No. 7 in the Illinois record books for most doubles wins in a season.

Kopinski completed her career in the Orange and Blue with an 88-42 record in doubles that checks in at No. 3 in program history. Melissa earned All-Big Ten honors during three seasons in the orange and blue, while also being named the Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Week twice during her senior campaign. Off the court, Kopinski was named an ITA Scholar-Athlete, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Academic All-Big Ten honoree and won the UI Fighting Illini Spirit Award in 2015.

Following her career in the Orange and Blue, Kopinski competed on the ITF Pro Circuit reaching two doubles finals in 2016 in Targu Jiu, Romania and in Nashville, Tennessee. The former Illini reached a career-high WTA doubles ranking of 522 on April 3, 2017.

Kopinski earned her bachelor's degree in community health with a concentration in health planning and administration in 2015 from the University of Illinois. 

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