Energetic Sell takes over w. tennis while still in grad school

Sitting next to Kathy Sell, one cannot help but be infected with the enthusiasm she exudes as she discusses her new job.

Sell has assumed the reigns of the women's tennis program from Louise Gengler. Under Gengler, the Tigers went 251-156, winning seven Ivy League championships, most recently in 2000. Her 25 years at Princeton marked the longest tenure of any female head coach at the University.

So the question is, how will Sell fill the void left by the departure of Gengler?

"A lot of energy," the new coach said. And energy is something she definitely does not lack. During her senior year as a standout tennis star at Duke University, Sell not only found her way into the top 10 of nationally ranked players, but shared the school's Athlete of the Year Award with the NBA's Shane Battier.

After graduating in 2001 with a degree in anthropology, Sell moved to Oregon to pursue graduate studies and to become an assistant with the Ducks' tennis program. She had not even finished the masters program when she heard about the opening at Princeton.

"I've never wanted to be a head tennis coach," Sell admitted. But the opportunity was too good to pass up. "I've just decided to go with it."

Coming from Duke, she understands what it means to be in an environment that is prominent both academically and athletically. While there, she was also a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. This gave her an appreciation of how a strong academic program and strong athletic program can be mutually supportive. She is looking forward to returning to an environment similar to her undergraduate home. Great students and great athletes have a lot in common, she said. They both strive for perfection in their respective fields. For top tier student-athletes, "there's always something to improve upon."

Additionally, Princeton's outstanding academic reputation is a great recruiting draws. Since she cannot offer scholarships, Sell must tout her program in other ways. She enjoys her ability to offer high school standouts the chance to play in a great tennis program and receive a first-rate education in the process.

"They don't have to sacrifice anything [by coming here]," Sell said.

So far the strategy seems to be working. Sell has two potentially great recruits very interested in Princeton, she said.

But before looking ahead to next year, Sell must concentrate on the team she inherited from Gengler. "I've tried not to come up with any outcome goals," said Sell. Instead, she has left that responsibility to the players.

They seem to have responded. In their first tournaments, the team showed signs of potential with some young players advancing into later rounds. There is definitely a "willingness to improve," Sell said.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Sell would eventually like to see the program ranked in the top 20 nationally, but there is some history working against her. Princeton women's tennis has not been ranked in the top twenty since 1983.

"Princeton has the all the tools in place to be a top ranked tennis program," said Sell. A great reputation for academics and top rate facilities are common denominators in most of the great tennis schools in the nation.

"I'm impressed with the efforts [Director of Athletics Gary Walters '67 is] putting out there to ensure [the program has the facilities it needs in the future]," Sell said.