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Head coach Jennifer Hyde, the 2007 ITA South Region Coach of the Year, enters her fourth season with Florida State University on the heels of her best coaching performance to date. Hyde led FSU to its highest ranking in program history (13th), an NCAA tournament berth, eight top-60 wins and a 16-8 season record in just her third year with the Garnet and Gold. Such high accomplishments in such a short period of time illustrate only the beginning of what Hyde has in store for the Seminoles. With the 2007-08 season on the horizon, Hyde looks to continue her alma mater's upward track toward greatness, ultimately hoping to cement the women's tennis team as one of the best athletic programs at Florida State.
Hyde first arrived in Tallahassee as a student-athlete in 1991. The Alpharetta, Ga., native enjoyed an impressive career with the Seminoles--establishing herself as a four-year letter winner, NCAA Tournament participant (1994) and ACC flight champion in doubles alongside teammate Jenny Graf. Ironically, Hyde would captain the 1994 Seminole squad whose No. 17 ranking would stand as Florida State's highest ranking until her 2007 squad climbed four spots higher.
After graduating from FSU in 1995, Hyde began her coaching career as an assistant for the Seminoles prior to heading west to the University of Iowa in 1995. Hyde spent two years in the midwest before returning to the south with assistant coaching stints at the University of Alabama (1997-98) and the University of North Carolina (1998-99).
It was with the Tar Heels that Hyde would begin to establish herself as one of the best young coaches in the sport. With her assistance, UNC enjoyed one of its best seasons in program history, moving from outside all the national polls to a top-25 ranking and the school's first NCAA tournament berth. Hyde also made strides off the court in the recruitment realm, identifying and signing two, top-five prospects for the Tar Heels.
The University of Houston recognized her unquestionable skill and presence within the sport and handed Hyde her first head coaching position in 1999. Hyde spent five increasingly successful years with the Cougars, building on her previous accomplishments with a third-place finish in the Conference USA as well as the program's most dual-match wins since 1997.
Hyde came full-circle upon her return to Tallahassee in July 2004, becoming just the fifth women's tennis head coach in Seminole history. In her first year, Hyde coached Florida State into the top 30 and capped the regular season with an NCAA Tournament appearance. Hyde continued to build the program in 2005-06, notching victories over two nationally ranked teams and coaching freshman Ania Rynarzewska to a spot on the All-ACC team.
Things built to an all-time high for Hyde and the Seminoles in 2006-07. In addition to the NCAA berth, ITA South Region Coach of the Year and No. 13 rank, Hyde also coached the Seminoles to a 5th-place ACC finish, 9-1 home record and eight, top-60 victories, including the team's first win over Duke since 1983. Hyde also helped put two more Seminoles, Lauren Macfarlane and Nicola Slater, on the All-ACC team in 2007.
Off the court, Hyde has continued the team's success in the classroom. With her guidance, the team secured the Golden Torch Award, given the Florida State team with the highest GPA, for its ninth year in a row. In addition, three Seminoles have landed spots on the All-ACC Academic team, All-ACC Honor Roll and ITA Scholar Athletes list in Hyde's three years as head coach.
At the end of the day, whether it's across the net or behind the desk, Jennifer Hyde has continued to use her skills and experience both from her student-athlete days in Tallahassee and her coaching days around the country to make Florida State into one of the best women's tennis programs in the nation. She continues to personify the Seminoles' trademark Unconquered spirit, driving her players and her program to new highs each season.
