EMORY, Va. – Emory & Henry College Head Women's Basketball Coach Jaclyn Dickens is pleased to announce the hiring of Tessa Johnston '19 as the Wasps' next assistant coach. Johnston will assist in all the day-to-day operations of the program with an emphasis on coaching the backcourt and recruiting.

"Tessa is going to be a great addition to our program and staff," said Dickens. "She was a vital part of our success as a player and her experience at DeSales will bring a lot of value. Her personality, work ethic and energy will be a huge asset."

Johnston returns to Emory after spending the past two years at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. During her two years on legendary head coach Fred Richter's staff, the Bulldogs posted a 32-5 record, winning a pair of MAC Freedom Championships and advancing to the 2020 NCAA Division III Tournament.

Johnston coached Averi Jordan to back-to-back WBCA Honorable Mention All-America recognitions as well as D3hoops.com All-America Third Team, CoSIDA Academic All-America® Third Team, MAC Freedom Player of the Year and D3hoops.com Region Co-Player of the Year accolades in 2021. The Bulldogs also had the MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year in 2021 and the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. For their success, Richter was named the league coach of the year in 2021.

"I'm ecstatic about being back," commented Johnston. "I love Emory & Henry and I think the program is going a great direction. It is very unique that I get to coach under Coach Dickens and work under Coach Crutchfield since they were my college coaches. They've both played such a significant role in my life so it's an honor to be here with them."

A four-year letterwinner for the Wasps from 2015-19, Johnston helped lead the team to an 83-27 record with three trips to the ODAC Tournament Semifinals and a berth in the ODAC Championship game and the NCAA Division III Second Round in 2018. She scored 718 points across 105 games, starting all 26 contests her senior year. She made 106 three-point field goals and had 159 rebounds, 123 assists and 98 steals during her career.

Johnston graduated cum laude from Emory & Henry in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sport management. She completed a Master of Education in academic leadership and reform in 2021. A native of High Point, North Carolina, Johnston now resides in Abingdon.

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