EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Department of Athletics and Interim Director of Athletics Anne Crutchfield are pleased to announce the hiring of Christine Johnston as Head Men's & Women's Tennis Coach.

Christine has a great passion and enthusiasm for the sport of tennis," commented Crutchfield. "The achievement she has enjoyed as an assistant during the past six years at Furman proves that she has the skill and work ethic to restore our programs to their previous successes."

Johnston comes to E&H after spending the last six years on the staff of Furman University, serving as the Associate Head Women's Tennis Coach during the 2016-17 season. While at the Greenville, South Carolina school, Johnston helped the Paladins to back-to-back Southern Conference regular season championships (2016, 2017) and a SoCon Tournament Championship and NCAA Division I Tournament berth this past spring.

She has also coached 25 All-SoCon players, three SoCon Players of the Year and three of SoCon Freshmen of the Year. The Paladins swept both sets major awards in three of the past four seasons.

"I am honored and excited to be named the next Head Men's & Women's Tennis Coach at Emory & Henry," commented Johnston. "I look forward to leading this program to success in the classroom, on the courts and in the community. I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given to become a part of the E&H family."

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Johnston played intercollegiate tennis at the University of Kentucky from 2007-10, leading the Wildcats to a trio of NCAA Division I Tournaments (2007, 2008, 2009). She was also a two-time All-Southeastern Conference selection for her accomplishments in singles.

Johnston was honored with the ITA's Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship and was named to the SEC Community Service team her senior year.  She and doubles partner Carolina Escamilla concluded the 2008 season ranked 30th nationally and were ranked as high as No. 16 during the 2009 campaign.  Johnston was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Prior to joining the Furman staff, Johnston was a volunteer assistant coach at Kentucky for the 2010-11 season. She earned her bachelor's degree in integrated strategic communications from UK in 2010.

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