Marshall named DSU's coach of the year
When local tennis pro Dave Marshall took over as head coach of the Delaware State University women's tennis team, he had just three players to work with. So he canceled the fall season and jumped on the recruiting trail.
With enough players to field a team, Marshall and the Hornets kicked off the spring season with an 0-2 start, but responded with 16 straight wins to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division regular-season title. The team's strong performance was enough for the university to recognize Marshall as the top coach at DSU in the 2011-12 year.
“I thought it was an honor to be nominated; I didn't think I'd win, to be honest with you,” said Marshall, who was the first tennis coach in the school's history to win the award. “It's a great environment at Delaware State. They're very supportive and it's very much a can-do atmosphere.”
Marshall's squad reached the semifinals of the MEAC conference tournament before finally losing. His team is very much international, with players from Russia, Serbia, Macedonia, Canada and Venezuela. Macedonia-born Vanja Andonova earned second team All-Conference and MEAC Rookie of the Year honors for her performance this spring.
But Marshall's honors didn't end there. Dave Marshall Tennis at the Plantations was recently ranked 12th in the Top 25 Tennis Camps in the World by Tennis Resorts Online. Sea Colony Tennis Camp in Bethany Beach came in one spot behind at 13th. The top-ranked camp this year went to Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks in Switzerland.
“We're very excited,” said Marshall, sharing the honor with Assistant Director Tom Mancuso and his staff of about 15. “It's a great testament to our staff for sure, and to the people who come to the camp. Without customers, we couldn't stay in business.”
Roger Cox, editor of TRO, visits each tennis camp before compiling his list.
“There's a standard you have to meet,” Marshall said.
In addition to offering camps for adults and juniors, Marshall often brings in well-known tennis professionals to teach - two-time Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles winner Ellis Ferreira and coach of the highly successful Bryan brothers Dave Macpherson. The facility offers indoor and outdoor courts, a pool and weight room, among other amenities.
Marshall offers a variety of clinics, camps and events that are open to the public. For more information, go to www.davemarshalltennis.com.
