Catherine Hewitt
	Last College: South Carolina Position: Women's Tennis Head Coach Experience: First Season

Catherine Hewitt was named head women's tennis coach at Coastal Carolina University, Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek announced on Friday, July 29. Hewitt takes over the reins of the Chanticleers' program after three-plus years as the director of tennis at Spring Valley Country Club in Columbia. She replaces Jody Davis, who retired from coaching after 15 seasons as head coach of the Chanticleers.

"We are extremely excited to have Catherine join our athletics family at Coastal Carolina," Yurachek said. "Catherine possesses strong ties to the area and brings a great amount of enthusiasm that is sure to energize the local community. She will be a great leader for the young women on our tennis team and a great part of the Coastal Carolina community."

Hewitt, a Conway native, will officially begin her duties at Coastal on Aug. 1.

Hewitt inherits a Coastal program coming off a 21-9 record and a regular season Big South championship. The No. 2 seeded Chants advanced to the finals of the Big South Tournament before falling 4-1 to Winthrop to conclude the season. Additionally, Hewitt will welcome four returners from last season's squad that earned all-conference honors.

While serving as director of tennis at Spring Valley Country, Hewitt was responsible for all operations of the tennis club, including the instruction of members of all skill levels and coaching of junior teams. Prior to accepting the position at Spring Valley, she was the head teaching professional at the Topspin Racquet & Swim Club in Lexington. As head teaching professional, Hewitt engaged in substantial teaching responsibilities with tennis students of all ages and ability levels. Hewitt also implemented the successful Cardio Tennis^TM program at Topspin Racquet & Swim Club.

Hewitt is a member of the Professional Tennis Registry and holds professional level certification through the United States Professional Tennis Association. As a member of the United States Tennis Association in South Carolina, she has served as a member of the Tennis Professional Committee.

During her playing career, she helped guide South Carolina to a No. 11 national ranking in 2000 and a Southeastern Conference championship final in 2001. Prior to playing collegiately, Hewitt was named the 1998 South Carolina Junior Player of the Year after winning the 1998 Wachovia Palmetto singles championship.

Hewitt received her undergraduate degree in sport and entertainment management from the University of South Carolina in 2003.