EMORY, Va. – Jessica Giuggioli has been selected as the next Head Women's Tennis Coach at Emory & Henry College, Director of Athletics Myra Sims announced today. Giuggioli comes to E&H after serving as a Graduate Assistant Women's Tennis Coach at East Tennessee State University for the past two seasons.

"Jessica brings a high level of playing and coaching experience to our program," said Sims. "She has great technical expertise in the sport and is able to meet any player where they are in terms of their skill level. I am excited to bring a young coach like Jessica to E&H and am confident that she will continue to build our women's tennis program."

While at the Johnson City school, Giuggioli was responsible for planning and leading team practices, individual lessons and also monitoring academic success. The Buccaneers posted a 26-15 overall record and a 15-2 mark in Atlantic Sun Conference play over the two seasons, including a pair of A-Sun Tournament Runner-Up finishes.  

"I'm thrilled about this opportunity and I'd like to thank everyone involved in the hiring process,"  said Giuggioli. "I look forward to lead the women's tennis team at Emory & Henry to a successful future on and off the court."

Prior to ETSU, Giuggioli was a standout at both the University of Missouri and University of Kentucky. She achieved a No. 17 ITA Division I Central Region ranking in January of 2009, and was also ranked eighth in doubles. In both 2008 and 2009, she was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team, while also being named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll from 2008-10.

Giuggioli began her collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, and was named All-Southeastern Conference Second Team during the Wildcats' Sweet 16 run in 2006. She also performed well in the classroom for the Wildcats, and was named to Kentucky's Academic Honor Roll for the 2006-07 academic year.  

Giuggioli's has extensive coaching experience at the club level, as she has been an instructor at four different clubs including two in her native Italy. She spent the summer of 2009 at Torino's Indoor Club and 2010 at Sport Village Bertolla in San Mauro Torinese. Giuggioli also worked at Mizzou's Green Tennis Center in Columbia, Missouri and Richfields Country Club in Kingsport Tenn.  Her responsibilities varied from coordinating drills to enhancing in-match techniques through strategy sessions as she worked with many different levels and ages of players.

"Jessica is very personable and will be able to connect with the young women currently in the program and with prospective student-athletes," Sims added. "She has extensive coaching experience in club and youth settings and has a reputation of making every player she coaches better."

Giuggioli earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Missouri in 2010 and completed a Master of Arts in Professional Communication/Public Relations at East Tennessee State in 2013.

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