July 13, 2009

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University Tennis Coach Howard Joffe has resigned his position to take a similar post at the University of Maryland, Director of Athletics Brad Bates announced today. The Terrapins made the official hiring announcement on Friday afternoon.

Joffe spent two years leading the RedHawks, taking them to new heights this past season. Miami captured the 2009 Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament championships, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. The RedHawks were listed in the Campbell's/Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings for the first time ever in April and finished the year 72nd overall.

Miami posted a 16-7 overall record, including a perfect 8-0 mark in league play. Monica Gorny was named the conference Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-league selection, while 2008 Co-Freshman of the Year Anastasia Dracheva also gained first-team All-MAC honors for the second straight season. Two other RedHawks - Stephanie Danesis and Megan Martzolf - were members of the all-tournament team.

In Joffe's first year as head coach, Miami finished second in the league standings before losing in the conference tournament's semifinal round.

The RedHawks were also stellar in the classroom with the team earning a perfect score of 1000 on the most recent Academic Progress Rate (APR) report.

"I want to thank President Hodge and Brad Bates for affording me the opportunity to lead the women's tennis program over the last two years," Joffe said. "Without them, I would not have been able to work with such an unforgettable group of young ladies.