Barry Tennis’ Kigel of Miami Shores Named PTR College Coach of the Year

Avi Kigel of Miami Shores, Fla., has been named PTR Jim Verdeick College Coach of the Year by the Professional Tennis Registry.

PTR will present its annual awards during the 2018 PTR International Tennis Symposium on Feb. 13-16, 2018 on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Kigel is entering his 10th year as women’s head coach at Barry University, with a 220-22 overall record and three NCAA Division II Championships under his belt. In 2017 Kigel coached the Buccaneers to a 30-0 record, and his team became the first sport at Barry University to go undefeated.

That same year four of his players were All-Americans and he was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s South Region Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his career. It’s the second ITA National Coach of the Year honor for Kigel.

As a college player for Norfolk State University, Kigel was ranked No. 15 in singles in NCAA Division II. He helped NSU win conference titles in 1995 and 1996, and as a junior after NSU moved up to Division I play, he amassed a 41-10 record, largely over Division I opponents.

The Barry women are currently No. 2 on the Oracle/ITA Division II Rankings behind Lynn University.

For more info go to www.ptrtennis.org.