Aug. 13, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Minnesota assistant coach Daria Panova has been hired as the new head tennis coach at the University of Maryland, director of athletics Kevin Anderson announced Monday.

Panova, who becomes the ninth head coach in the 35-year history of program, arrives at Maryland after serving as an assistant at the University of Minnesota for the past five seasons where she helped the Golden Gophers reach the 2012 NCAA Tournament for the first time in nine years.

Panova began coaching following a successful collegiate playing career at the University of Oregon. The native of Moscow, Russia, was a two-time All-American (2003-04) for the Ducks, a three-time all-Pac-10 conference selection (2002-04) and the 2003 Pac-10 Player of the Year.

"I am pleased to welcome Daria as the newest member of the Terrapin coaching family," said Anderson. "She has achieved success at the highest level of collegiate tennis as both a player and a coach. She has developed elite-level talent nationally and internationally and I am confident that she will do a tremendous job in leading our tennis program to new heights."

"I am honored to be the new head coach of the Maryland tennis team," said Panova. "I'd like to thank Kevin Anderson and the search committee for giving me this wonderful opportunity. I am eager to start working with the players. I see a bright future for Maryland tennis and I am very excited to be a part of it."

Panova completed her collegiate career as the winningest singles player in Oregon history with 94 career victories. She also holds the record for the most singles wins in a single season, having won 32 in 2003 and 2004. Panova earned team MVP honors her final three seasons at Oregon and was named an ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) Scholar-Athlete in 2004 and 2005.

After graduating from Oregon in 2005, Panova served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Ducks and a club coach at Maidstone Club in East Hampton, N.Y., from 2005-06. She spent the following year as a private coach in Moscow.

Panova holds a degree in marketing from Oregon and completed a graduate degree in sports management while at Minnesota.

- Terps -