Longwood University Athletics

FARMVILLE, Va. – Third-year Longwood men's tennis head coach Pierre Tafelski stepped down from his post to accept the position of assistant men's tennis coach at Boise State, athletics director Troy Austin announced Friday.
 
The 2017 Big South Coach of the Year, Tafelski led Longwood men's tennis to its best season in program history in 2016-17, compiling a 14-6 overall record and a 4-3 mark in Big South play. The Lancers finished a program-best fourth in the conference standings and earned their first victories over league rivals Liberty and Winthrop in the process.
 
"We thank Pierre for the immense work he did to turn this program around," Austin said. "While it's not ideal to conduct a head coach search at this point in the season, Pierre has established a foundation for Longwood men's tennis that extends well beyond last season's success. We wish him luck at Boise State and will move forward immediately to bring in a head coach who will continue this team's upward trend."
 
During his two years at Longwood, Tafelski compiled a 21-21 overall record, including last season's school-record 14-win campaign. His first recruiting class yielded Amadeo Blasco, now a sophomore, who was named 2017 Big South Freshman of the Year.
 
The 2013-14 ITA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year at Division II Hawaii Pacific University, Tafelski was also a two-time recipient of the Longwood Coach of the Year award, chosen annually by Longwood's Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
"I want to thank Troy Austin for giving me the opportunity to guide this team over the past two years," said Tafelski. "It has been a true privilege. Longwood University is constantly growing and has great people in place to lead the athletics department to new heights. I'm grateful for the opportunity I was given, and I'm proud of what this team has become.
 
"From day one, credit goes to the young men who worked hard and displayed dedication to launch Longwood men's tennis into a new era. This team has a bright future, and I will be following them closely."
 
At Boise State, Tafelski will join a program that has four 20-win seasons and four Mountain West Conference Championships in the past six years.
 
Longwood has one fall tournament remaining on the schedule, the Navy Invitational in Annapolis, Md., on Oct. 27-29. The Lancers will then begin preparation for their official spring season, which opens Feb. 3 at Mary Washington.