AUSTIN, Texas – University of Texas Women’s Athletics Director Chris Plonsky announced Monday the appointment of Darija Klaic (pronounced DAR-ee-uh KLICH) as UT’s interim head women’s tennis coach, effective Aug. 1.  Klaic served as an assistant coach at Texas the last nine seasons under former head coach Patty Fendick-McCain, who announced her retirement last month.

 

“We are confident we will land an experienced leader and head coach of the Texas women’s tennis program,” Plonsky said.  “Until that head coach is named, Darija Klaic will serve as interim head coach.  It is important to ensure there is minimization of disruption as the orientation date for new and returning student-athletes approaches.  We appreciate Darija’s willingness to serve in this role as we complete our search and continue to watch the progress on both the interim tennis facility at Guadalupe and 51st Streets and the new Texas Tennis Center, which has been approved by UT’s Board of Regents.”

 

The 2010 ITA Texas Region Assistant Coach of the Year, Klaic helped Texas to nine NCAA top-20 finishes, including three NCAA top-10 showings, in her nine seasons on the Forty Acres.  With Klaic on staff, Texas won Big 12 tournament titles in 2012 and 2013, a share of the Big 12 regular-season crown in 2007 and accumulated 25 All-Big 12 selections. 

 

The Longhorns ranked among the top-25 in the final ITA team poll seven times under Klaic and Fendick-McCain, including each of the last five seasons.  Klaic was instrumental in the development of two-time All-Americans Aeriel Ellis and Breaunna Addison.  Last season, Addison became UT’s first Big 12 Player of the Year since 1999.    

 

A two-time doubles All-American at Washington, Klaic joined Fendick-McCain’s coaching staff at UW in 2004 and made the move with Fendick-McCain to UT in 2005. 

 

The University of Texas will have no further comment until a new head women’s tennis coach is announced.