Ball State University Athletics
Women’s Tennis Welcomes Virginia Standout Meghan Kelley To Coaching Staff
July 22, 2019 | Women's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State head women's tennis coach Max Norris, who enters his seventh year at the helm of the Cardinals, has announced the hiring of Virginia women's tennis standout Meghan Kelley.
"Meghan was an amazing player at Virginia," Norris said. "More importantly, she exudes and exhibits loyalty, hard work, character and leadership. Meghan comes highly recommended by Virginia coaches Sara O'Leary and Gina Suarez-Malagutti, who themselves have been All-Americans, champions and great leaders. Additionally, opposing coaches see Meghan as one of the hardest working tennis players in the country. I am thrilled to have Meghan aboard because she wants to be a college coach. I know this will equate to an amazing experience for our players, who will learn leadership, hard work and strategy from Meghan."
Kelley was a four-year letterwinner for the Cavaliers from 2015-19, enjoying numerous accolades as an accomplished player. As a senior, Kelley was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Senior Player of the Year in the Atlantic region. She was tabbed an All-Athletic Coast Conference (ACC) First Team selection and earned an at-large bid to compete in the NCAA singles and doubles championships this past spring.
Kelley ended the 2018-19 season with an overall singles mark of 24-15, including a 10-4 ledger at the top of the lineup during ACC competition. She had her highest national singles ranking as a senior, topping out at the No. 20 spot.
In doubles action, Kelley played alongside Virginia teammate Sofia Munera, earning a 31-11 overall record. The twosome was ranked as high as eighth nationally and also won their ITA Regional last fall.
As she helps coach the Cardinals, Kelley will pursue a master's degree in sport administration. She replaces former Ball State women's tennis player and graduate assistant Carmen Blanco, who recently earned her master's degree and took a job with Ernst and Young in Seattle, Washington.
Kelley joins a long list of accomplished graduate assistants at Ball State, including Viktor Maksimsuk, who was an All-American player at Louisville, Tessa Lyons, who won an ACC and ITA National Indoor title at North Carolina, and Blanco, who was the Mid-American Conference Tournament MVP in the Cardinals' first-ever league championship in 2016.
