LEXINGTON, Va. – Washington and Lee University Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics
Jan Hathorn has announced that
Erin Ness has resigned as Head Women's Tennis Coach to pursue the same position at Amherst College.
"I want to thank Erin for all that she has given to W&L," stated Hathorn. "Her passion for developing our women's tennis players to be their best as people and competitors can be seen in the many years of success our women's tennis program has enjoyed in the classroom and on the courts under Erin's tutelage. Erin has served in many leadership roles on the conference, regional, and national levels and is a highly regarded professional in DIII women's tennis. It is with the deepest respect that I wish her well in her new position."
"I want to thank
Jan Hathorn for giving me the opportunity to come to Washington and Lee 14 years ago," Ness commented. "W&L will always hold a special place in my heart because it has allowed me to grow into the coach and person I am today. It has been a privilege to coach all the amazing young women who have played here and I am forever grateful to be a part of their lives. Thank you to everyone in the athletic department who have made this place feel like home. I will always be grateful for my time here."
During her 14 years leading the W&L women's tennis program, Ness compiled a 257-72 overall record (.781), won all 13 ODAC Tournament titles contested in that time (no tournament in 2020 due to COVID) and went a perfect 140-0 in conference play. That team success extended into NCAA Tournament play, as the Generals appeared in the national team tournament each year of her tenure and advanced to the national quarterfinals in the 2021 and 2026 seasons.
Individually, Ness was named the ODAC Coach of the Year 10 times, including each of the last five seasons, in addition to earning the 2021 Wilson/ITA Atlantic South Region Coach of the Year award.
"Erin has been an exceptional coach, faculty member, colleague, and friend who will be enormously missed," Hathorn continued. "She has been selfless in contributing to the success of the Athletics department and the university community through her service on various department and faculty-wide committees as well as the athletics administrative team. A popular and beloved PE instructor, she is known for her welcoming spirit, sense of humor, and genuine love of teaching. She has brought out the best in all of us, and we are better for it."
Not only did Ness help her teams to high levels of success, she also led several individuals to numerous honors and postseason success. Over the last 14 seasons, her players collected 99 total ODAC citations across the all-conference singles and doubles teams and had 10 players combine for 20 ITA All-America citations. W&L was continuously well-represented among the ODAC's major award winners, with 11 Players of the Year, five Rookies of the Year and seven Scholar-Athletes of the Year.
Ness also mentored eight different Generals to a total of 19 NCAA Singles and Doubles Tournament appearances. Her top singles finishers include
Lauren Long '26, Brooke Donnelly '17 and Sonja Meighan '15 who each made one national quarterfinal appearance in the singles draw during their careers, while she guided Meighan and Patricia Kirkland '15 to semifinal finishes at the 2013 and 2015 NCAA Doubles Championships.
Ness's last day at W&L will be July 24. A national search for the program's next head coach will begin immediately.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
