SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Clifton Awuy has been promoted to Santa Clara head women's tennis coach after serving a year as a volunteer coach for both the men's and women's tennis programs on the Mission Campus.
"I just want express how excited I am for this opportunity," said Awuy. "Santa Clara University is an extraordinary institution both athletically and academically. I look forward to continuing the philosophies and values established by the Bronco community. I want to thank both coach Ben Cabell and Niall Angus for their guidance last season that has prepared me for this position. Coach Ben has established a tremendous program, combining his existing culture with my own beliefs and ideas is very exciting. I also want to thank the director of athletics, Renee Baumgartner, the associate athletic director of academics and student services, Jessica Everhart, and the rest of the search committee for this opportunity. I can't wait to get started."
Prior to last season, Awuy was the director of tennis at a premier Northern California academy who worked with top junior talents in the state.
Some of the top players Awuy trained include Giuliana Olmos and Katie Volynets.
Olmos reached a career high ranking of No. 24 in Women's Tennis Association doubles and has won three WTA Tour doubles titles including the WTA 1000 Italian Open.
In 2020, Olmos qualified for the Tokyo Olympics and was a finalist at the 2021 U.S. Open in mixed doubles.
Volvnets achieved a career high ranking of No. 183 in WTA singles.
Other notable players trained by Awuy as juniors include familiar names to Santa Clara tennis, both on the men's and women's side – John Lamble (2010-14), Kelly Lamble (2009-13), Katie Le (2010-14) and Carmen Pham (2007-11).
Awuy also served as a traveling coach for Kaitlyn Christian, the former No. 38-ranked doubles player on the WTA Tour.
"I am very excited to have Clif lead our women's tennis program," Baumgartner said. "He is an excellent coach with a proven track record and an even better person. His experience combined with his tremendous knowledge of the game makes him the perfect fit to lead this program. The future of Santa Clara women's tennis is in great hands."
Awuy graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2003.
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— Santa Clara Broncos (@SCUBroncos) August 4, 2022
Clif Awuy's path to becoming Santa Clara head women's tennis coach.
Exciting things to come under his direction! #SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/RpHMdNumW4
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