UMass women’s tennis coach Judy Dixon announced Tuesday that her 24th season would be her last leading the Minutewomen.
Dixon, whose tenure included coaching the since dissolved men’s team from 1993-2001, is 304-219 since she was hired in 1992.
“I am proud of the success of the men’s and women’s team, both on and off the court,” Dixon said in a statement. “However, what has meant the most to me is the opportunity to engage daily with young adults, to help guide them through their four years of college and to stay connected with them as they move into productive lives. As I look back on my 25 years, what stays with me the most is the camaraderie, caring and commitment I have witnessed. Truly, I have been a lucky person.”
Dixon is the second long-tenured UMass coach to announce that the 2016-17 school year will be their last. Baseball coach Mike Stone will coach one more season after 30 years at the helm.
UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford saluted her career.
“I would like to thank Judy for her remarkable service to this university and our athletics program for a quarter-century,” Bamford said. “Her retirement marks the end of a highly successful run in women’s — and at one time men’s — tennis at UMass. On behalf of the hundreds of student-athletes that played tennis at UMass and those colleagues who worked with her over the last 25 years, we thank Judy and wish her all the best in retirement. She will always have our respect and admiration.”
Dixon will participate in the search process to name her replacement.
Dixon capture one Atlantic 10 title (2001) and two New England Championships (1996, 2001). She was the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year five times.
Albany 2, UMass 1 — Ty Gonsalves gave the Minutemen (0-5-1) an early lead, but the Great Danes netted the winner with 23 seconds left for the road win.
Jorge Becerra finished with three saves in defeat.
Mount Holyoke 2, Western New England 0 — Sara Sanau Ruiz had a goal and an assist on Jamie Collings’ strike as the Lyons (3-2) won at home.
Zoe Marshall made 15 saves in the shutout.
Springfield 1, Amherst — Chelsea Cutler made three saves but 10th-ranked Amherst (2-1) fell on the road.
Nichols 3, Elms 0 — Hannah Adams (Deerfield) had six kills, nine digs and three aces, while Haley Asselin added 11 digs, but the visiting Blazers (1-6) fell 25-13, 25-21, 25-11.
Women’s volleyball
Babson 3, Mount Holyoke 0 — Jamesa Allen had nine kills, while Natalie Lyon added 15 assists, but the Lyons (2-4, 0-1 NEWMAC) fell on the road 25-12, 25-12, 25-19.
Clark 3, Smith 0 — Kimani Freeman had seven kills and Maca Rojas added 11 assists but the Pioneers (2-5) fell 25-16, 25-19, 25-14 on the road.
Field hockey
Smith 4, Connecticut College 1 — Elsie Odhiambo scored twice, while Mariah Ollive and Bayleigh Bogan each had one goal as the Pioneers (2-3) won at home.