Ray Yost began coaching the women's team in 1995 and immediately made an impact, turning the program into one equal with an already strong men's program. The Lakers entered the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference that year and ended with a respectable 7 - 11 record. The women's team has enjoyed relative success each year and ended the 2002 campaign with a 15 - 12 mark, the best in years. Yost began a year round program, got financial aid equal to that of the men's team, initiated spring break training at Hilton Head Island, SC, and upgraded the schedule to include the best Division I programs in the area.

Yost has been involved with every facet of the tennis industry. Presently, he owns and operates the Westwood Racquet Club in Erie, an eight-court indoor facility, which serves as Mercyhurst's home for both practices and matches. Yost is also the President of Tennis Unlimited, which owns and operates Spring Break Tennis on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Tennis Unlimited also oversees ten other tournaments and events on the island. Yost is also the head coach of the Mercyhurst College men's tennis team.

Yost's resume also includes an extensive stint with the United States Tennis Association. He has served as District President, Vice President, and Ranking Chairmen for Adults and Juniors. He is has owned or operated tennis clubs in Albany, NY, Jamestown, NY, Syracuse, NY, Williamsport, PA, and Warren, OH. He has also served as a liquidating officer and bank receiver.

Yost has been a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association for 30 years with a Pro I ranking. The Westwood Racquet Club was voted USTA "Sectional Club of the Year" in 1992. He has owned and operated numerous overnight tennis camps and coached many nationally and sectionally ranked juniors. Yost has directed many professional exhibitions with such top players as Martina Navratilova, Marty Riessen, Bjorn Borg, and Stan Smith.

Yost attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Sociology and Business. He was captain and MVP of his college team. He is still an active tournament player, having held top sectional rankings in both singles and doubles.

Yost has two children who are attending college and playing for their college teams. Jayson is a senior at Swarthmore College in Philadelphia and Lindsay is a sophomore at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.