Ferris named UCI women’s tennis interim coach

Elizabeth Ferris has been named UC Irvine’s interim women’s tennis coach for the 2016-17 season following the retirement of Mike Edles, who served as head coach for the last 20 years.

Ferris has been assistant coach with the Anteaters for the past three years after competing on the International Tennis Federation circuit, where she earned a pair of singles and doubles titles.

“I want to thank everyone involved for giving me this unbelievable opportunity to prove myself,” Ferris said. “There are not many Division I head-coaching positions available, and to be able to lead a program as storied as UCI and be part of such a beautiful, prestigious school that’s also in my home county is a dream come true.

“Having been with the program for the past three seasons, I was able to see what it takes to be in the head-coaching position. I learned so much from Mike Edles and am so appreciative of the opportunity he gave me three years ago. I will bring what I’ve learned from him along with my own flair and personality to the team,” Ferris said.

“I’ve been working hard to prepare for the start of the season and am looking forward to developing closer relationships with other staff members, and of course, with our seven incoming and six returning players. There is an incredible amount of talent on this team and I’m fortunate enough to be in a position to shape and mold these awesome ladies.”

Ferris played collegiately at the University of Utah, garnering all-conference honors six times, including all four years in singles. She graduated in 2009 with a degree in health promotion and education.

She was raised in Anaheim, was a top-20 junior player in Southern California and attended Canyon High.

— From staff reports