Kelly Cameron enters her third season as the assistant women’s tennis coach at the University of Illinois after being hired on Sept. 8, 2015. 

Illinois wrapped up the 2016-17 campaign with a 14-13 record, and a 7-4 mark in the Big Ten. Louise Kwong was named to the All-Big Ten team, and was one of five Illini to garner Academic All-Big Ten honors.

The Illinois women's tennis team went 15-9 in Cameron’s first season, the first 15-win season for the program since 2012. Louise Kwong was named All-Big Ten, and Academic All-Big Ten, and three other Illini were named Academic All-Big Ten as well.

Illinois women’s tennis head coach Evan Clark has announced the addition of Kelly Cameron to the Fighting Illini coaching staff effective immediately. 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.

“Kelly is a tremendous addition to the staff and I could not be more excited to have here at the University of Illinois,” shared Clark. “She has played under me as a head coach, and therefore knows my expectations for the program, which will help immensely as we transition and beyond. She is one of the hardest working, and most successful, players I have ever worked with, so I’m confident she will have an extremely positive impact on our 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.