Former Illini standout Alexis Casati Raines was announced as the program's associate head coach on Sept. 22, 2025. Raines returns to Champaign after coaching stints at Western Michigan, SMU, and Georgia Tech since her graduation from Illinois in 2017.
Most recently, Raines served as associate head coach at SMU for the 2024-25 season, helping guide the Mustangs through their first year in the ACC. SMU climbed as high as No. 46 in the ITA rankings, finished the year at No. 50, and brought in the No. 18-ranked recruiting class nationally. The Mustangs also swept the ACC weekly honors following a 4-3 battle with No. 1 Virginia and a win over Virginia Tech.
Prior to her return to SMU, Raines spent four seasons as associate head coach at Georgia Tech, where she played a key role in recruiting, player development, and on-court success. The Yellow Jackets reached the NCAA Tournament in each of her four years, advancing to the Round of 16 in 2021. Georgia Tech finished in the ITA top 25 three times, including a No. 10 finish in 2021, and signed the nation’s No. 7-ranked recruiting class in 2024. Raines also coached multiple All-Americans and guided two doubles teams to the No. 1 ITA ranking.
Raines began her coaching career as an assistant at Western Michigan from 2017-19, where she helped lead the Broncos to their best season since 2016 and recruited the largest incoming class in program history. She later gained additional experience at SMU in 2019-20 as a volunteer assistant, where she directed fall tournaments and alumni engagement efforts.
In her coaching career, Raines has mentored six All-Americans, nine all-conference selections, two ITA Regional Rookie of the Year honorees, and multiple student-athletes who earned ITA Regional and National Leadership Awards.
A Deerfield, Ill., native, Raines was a four-year letterwinner for the Illini from 2013-17, compiling a career singles record of 67-47, primarily at the top two spots in the lineup. She was a two-time team captain, three-time team MVP, and earned All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore. Raines reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 82 and tied the Illinois freshman record with 30 singles wins in 2014. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and ITA Scholar-Athlete, she remains one of the program’s most decorated student-athletes.
Raines graduated from Illinois in 2017 with a degree in journalism and earned her master’s in sports management from Western Michigan in 2019.
Last updated Sept. 2025
