Nov. 28, 2007
WACO, Texas - Matt Knoll, Baylor's director of tennis operations and head men's coach, has been selected to participate in the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) High Performance Continuing Education Program at the Davis Cup finals between Russia and the United States, in Portland, Oregon, Nov. 30-Dec. 3.
The program will feature sessions devoted to current trends in the professional game, as well as, watching all of the Davis Cup matches. Coaches will be involved in lectures, meetings, match analysis and discussions with the goal of creating an experience that addresses current trends in technique, tactics and training. Department staff, sports science experts and top national coaches will be involved in the program's curriculum.
"I want to thank the USTA for inviting me to attend the Davis Cup final. This is a special opportunity for me and I know I'll gain valuable insights into the highest level of competitive team tennis," said Knoll.
Knoll, throughout his 11 seasons at the helm of the Baylor tennis program, has produced phenomenal results. Since arriving at Baylor in 1997, Knoll has amassed a 261-61 (.811) record over 11 seasons while earning seven Big 12 Conference regular season titles, including six in a row beginning in 2002, five Big 12 Tournament championships, the 2004 NCAA championship, the 2005 National Team Indoor title, an NCAA runner-up finish in 2005 and NCAA semifinal appearances in 2006 and 2007.
Baylor, the most successful men's tennis team over the past five seasons, has been ranked no lower than No. 4 in the final poll during that span. The Bears were ranked No. 1 after winning the 2004 NCAA Championship, No. 2 in the final poll in 2005 and No. 4 in 2003, '06 and '07.
In the past four years, Baylor is the only men's team to advance to the NCAA semifinals all four years. During that span, the Bears have posted a 118-14 (.894) mark and in the past six years Knoll's teams have posted an impressive 173-17 (.906).
The Bears completed their 2007 campaign with a 28-4 mark and were ranked No. 4 in the FILA/Intercollegiate Tennis Association's final national rankings.
