February 5, 2009

Bryant's Cilli named USTA Coach of the Year

Women's tennis coach has five straight NE-10 championships

Courtesy Tom Flanagan, USTA New England Communications Manager

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. - The United States Tennis Association-New England this week announced the Bryant University women's coach Barbara Cilli has been selected to receive the 2008 College Coach of the Year Award.

The award, given annually to the college tennis coach in New England who showed dedication to the sport of tennis and successfully transferred that enthusiasm to team members, will be presented at a ceremony in Marlboro, Mass. next month.

Since arriving at Bryant and turning around a losing program, Cilli and the Bulldogs have dominated, especially in league play. Bryant has won five consecutive NE-10 regular season and tournament titles, posting undefeated records in 2004, 2005, and 2008. In addition, the Bulldogs have advanced to the NCAA Division II championships in each of those five years, hosting the Northeast regional in 2006 and 2008. This season, Cilli will lead the Bulldogs into their first year as an NCAA Division 1 program.

Cilli, who played at Providence College, has been active in USTA-sanctioned competition for more than 20 years. At Providence, Cilli played No. 4 singles and No. 1 doubles and earned team-MVP honors in 1986.

About USTA New England and the USTA

USTA New England, one of 17 regional sections across the country that comprise the United States Tennis Association (USTA), is a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting and developing the growth of tennis and increasing participation in the sport in New England by offering quality recreational and competitive programs for people of all ages and abilities. For more information, log on to www.ustanewengland.com.