Since being named head women's tennis coach in April of 2009, Todd Petty has steadily improved the program while taking the team to the cusp of the NCAA tournament in only three seasons. The newly named Big 12 Coach of the Year lead the team to its best record in 23 years this past season.
The Lady Raiders record of 18-8 is the second-most wins in a single season for the program. Tech won seven conference matches and placed fourth in the standings under Petty's watch. It ties the program's best mark for conference wins and standing. The team earned its signature win of the season over No. 23 Texas. It was the first time a Lady Raider team has beat Texas in women's tennis in school history.
The team has been selected to play in the ITA Kick-off Weekend in January of 2011 for the first time ever.
Petty came to Lubbock after serving as head coach at Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas. While at Rider, he mentored several student-athletes to state qualifying berths, including three in 2003 who qualified for the 4-A state tournament, and one who won the 4-A state singles championship in 2006. In addition, his teams finished in the top five in the state of Texas from 2004-2006, with the 2006 team placing third.
During his collegiate career, Petty played his first two years at Texas-San Antonio where he was named All-Southland Conference in both 1999 and 2000. He then transferred to Midwestern State University and was named to the 2002 Lone Star Conference All-Academic team and was selected an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American.
He also served as a graduate assistant for Midwestern State where he was involved in recruiting, coaching, and traveling with the men's and women's tennis programs. In 2003 and 2004, the men's tennis team qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Petty graduated cum laude from Midwestern State with a degree in political science. He and his wife, Angie, have a son, Colt.
