Wichita State University women’s tennis head coach Jacob Eddins is less than a month into his new role, but he’s already focused on elevating the Shockers’ program.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Wichita State University women’s tennis head coach Jacob Eddins is less than four weeks into his tenure with the Shockers, but is eager to take the team to the next level, an opportunity he doesn’t take lightly.
“It’s something I’ve been preparing for in the last 15 years in coaching,” Eddins said.
The West Virginia native is entering his first head coaching role in a program he holds in high regard.
“Really, really blessed to be here in this role. The past 20-25 years, [the Shockers] won 19 conference championships, made the NCAA Tournament 12 times and, yeah, very fortunate to be here,” Eddins said.
But the turnaround was a challenge for everyone. He secured the job just five days before the first competition of the season.
“I was so excited he came in because I knew him a little bit before. [We’re] still getting used it the change of coach. He wants us, like, to improve everything, and our goal is the same, to make the NCAA as a team or individually,” WSU junior Xin Tong Wang said.
The team is bought in, earning 14 victories at the Husker Invitational. Eddins credits their success to the relationships they’re building.
“It’s one of the strong suits within the team, the girls are super super close, and for me, culture is huge, and I feel like we’re in a really good place with the culture and hope to continue to build on that,” he said.
Now the team gets ready for the regional championships. Eddins leans on his experience at Illinois, where he helped the team to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances.
“Taking some things away from that and kind of putting a spin of my own on it is going to be good,” he said.
He’s carrying the Shockers legacy with pride and embracing the fans with appreciation.
“I’ve been able to connect with some of the tennis community and everyone’s been so welcoming and that was another part of the job that was really exciting to me,” Eddins said.
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Category: General Sports
