Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
WTEN | Head Coach Harston Moving On To Next Chapter
5/3/2022 9:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Head Women's Tennis Coach Simon Harston has announced he is stepping down from his position after a five-year stint as head coach of the Gaels.
The London, England native is heading back home to spend more time with family in June.
"I could not have enjoyed working here at Saint Mary's College more than I did," Harston said. "This is a move about family. I wouldn't have left this job to take another college coaching job."
Harston joined Saint Mary's College in August of 2012 to assist former head coach Michael Wayman with the men's team for the 2012-13 season. He continued in that role through the 2014-15 season, before becoming an assistant for the women's program for two years under then head coach Lisa Alipaz.
"This job allowed a dream of mine to come true, as I wanted to coach collegiately for a long, long time," Harston said. "I'm forever grateful to coach Michael Wayman, previous Athletic Director Mark Orr, current Athletic Director Mike Matoso, and coach Lisa Alipaz for seeing something in me and giving me the opportunity to coach at this level."
Alipaz and Harston switched roles in 2017, with Harston becoming the Head Coach and Alipaz assisting him for the last five seasons. Under his direction, the Gaels finished 2018 No. 63 in the final Oracle/ITA tennis rankings.
Harston brought in the Gaels current top-ranked player Mariia Kozyreva, who climbed as high as No. 17 nationally under Harston. This season she made the quarter finals of the Fall National Championships, beating the top seed and #2 ranked player in the nation, defeated the #9 player in the country during WCC play, and has been an All-WCC First Team selection every year at SMC.
"Most of all, I'd like to thank all the student athletes that I've coached," Harston added. "I'm thankful for them making the commitment to the school and giving me the opportunity to help them be better players and helping me become a better coach at the same time."
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso also expressed his gratitude for Harston's hard work and time put in to the SMC Women's Tennis Program.
"We are very thankful for the dedication and years of service Simon contributed to the women's tennis program," Matoso said. "The program has succeeded on the court and in the classroom under Simon, we will miss his leadership and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."
Academically, Saint Mary's Women's Tennis excelled under Harston, as last season they again placed four student-athletes on the All-WCC Academic Honorable Mention list and were named an All-Academic Team by the ITA for posting a cumulative 3.67 GPA during the school year.
Harston guided the Gaels to another WCC Tournament appearance in 2022 after going 10-10 overall and 5-4 in conference play. He leaves with an overall dual-match record of 46-42 and 21-14 in WCC play.
He played professionally on the ATP Tour after graduating from the University of Bath in 2000, and did so until injury forced him to retire in January, 2007. In March of 2006 he was part of the Great Britain National Team that toured the USA playing exhibition matches against many of the top collegiate programs in California and Texas, including Saint Mary's.
Prior to moving to the USA, Harston was Head Coach and Director of Compete Tennis High Performance Center, an LTA funded academy that catered to players from ages five to eighteen. From 2001 to 2012 he also held the position of Touring Coach at The Woodford Wells Club, giving private lessons to a wide range of club members and leading the junior performance program.
The London, England native is heading back home to spend more time with family in June.
"I could not have enjoyed working here at Saint Mary's College more than I did," Harston said. "This is a move about family. I wouldn't have left this job to take another college coaching job."
Harston joined Saint Mary's College in August of 2012 to assist former head coach Michael Wayman with the men's team for the 2012-13 season. He continued in that role through the 2014-15 season, before becoming an assistant for the women's program for two years under then head coach Lisa Alipaz.
"This job allowed a dream of mine to come true, as I wanted to coach collegiately for a long, long time," Harston said. "I'm forever grateful to coach Michael Wayman, previous Athletic Director Mark Orr, current Athletic Director Mike Matoso, and coach Lisa Alipaz for seeing something in me and giving me the opportunity to coach at this level."
Alipaz and Harston switched roles in 2017, with Harston becoming the Head Coach and Alipaz assisting him for the last five seasons. Under his direction, the Gaels finished 2018 No. 63 in the final Oracle/ITA tennis rankings.
Harston brought in the Gaels current top-ranked player Mariia Kozyreva, who climbed as high as No. 17 nationally under Harston. This season she made the quarter finals of the Fall National Championships, beating the top seed and #2 ranked player in the nation, defeated the #9 player in the country during WCC play, and has been an All-WCC First Team selection every year at SMC.
"Most of all, I'd like to thank all the student athletes that I've coached," Harston added. "I'm thankful for them making the commitment to the school and giving me the opportunity to help them be better players and helping me become a better coach at the same time."
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso also expressed his gratitude for Harston's hard work and time put in to the SMC Women's Tennis Program.
"We are very thankful for the dedication and years of service Simon contributed to the women's tennis program," Matoso said. "The program has succeeded on the court and in the classroom under Simon, we will miss his leadership and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."
Academically, Saint Mary's Women's Tennis excelled under Harston, as last season they again placed four student-athletes on the All-WCC Academic Honorable Mention list and were named an All-Academic Team by the ITA for posting a cumulative 3.67 GPA during the school year.
Harston guided the Gaels to another WCC Tournament appearance in 2022 after going 10-10 overall and 5-4 in conference play. He leaves with an overall dual-match record of 46-42 and 21-14 in WCC play.
He played professionally on the ATP Tour after graduating from the University of Bath in 2000, and did so until injury forced him to retire in January, 2007. In March of 2006 he was part of the Great Britain National Team that toured the USA playing exhibition matches against many of the top collegiate programs in California and Texas, including Saint Mary's.
Prior to moving to the USA, Harston was Head Coach and Director of Compete Tennis High Performance Center, an LTA funded academy that catered to players from ages five to eighteen. From 2001 to 2012 he also held the position of Touring Coach at The Woodford Wells Club, giving private lessons to a wide range of club members and leading the junior performance program.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
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