UC San Diego, ‘96
16th year
Hilary Somers completed her 16th year as the head coach of the women's tennis team in 2016-17. Prior to becoming the head coach, Somers was an assistant at USF during the 1999-2000 season.
In 2015-16, USF reached a milestone in the the fall season as Ka won the singles title at the Battle in the Bay Classic and teamed up with Taune to take the doubles title as well - the Dons swept the awards in the first year the Battle in the Bay Classic hosted a women's tournament. The Dons also claimed the program's first ever victory at the Toreros home courts with a 4-2 win. Somers also had three student-athletes named to the WCC's All-Academic Women's Tennis Team.
Under Somers' leadership, USF produced one of the most successful players in program history with Andrea Ka. In her last year on the Hilltop, Ka was named to the All-WCC First Team Singles list and with doubles partner Thyra Taune, accomplished All-WCC Second Team Doubles. Now playing professionally overseas, Ka has won two titles in her first two pro events- a doubles crown in Oreiras, Portugal, and a singles title in the Amarante Ladies Open.
In the 2013-14 season, the Dons posted an overall record of 15-7. Somers mentored Andrea Ka to first team All-WCC singles and second team All-WCC doubles honors with partner Thyra Taune. Under her guidance, Taune was awarded WCC Freshman of Year. This is the second consecutive year a Don has received this title. Through the leadership of Somers, USF players picked up conference singles and doubles honors as well as an All-Academic distinction.
Somers has a motivated group of athletes and is bolstering a program in one of the nation's elite women's tennis leagues, the West Coast Conference. She was honored as the WCC Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2008.
For 15 years, she was a Tennis Service Representative for the United States Tennis Association, carrying out many responsibilities and tasks such as developing and promoting junior and adult tennis programming in Santa Clara County. She has also offered her talents as a USTA National Coach for 16's Zonals. She has also served as the USTA NorCal Junior Fed Cup Coach, coaching NorCal to their best national finish ever (5th place) in 2004. She is involved with many tennis programs throughout the Bay Area, including coordinating and teaching clinics and workshops.
Somers has her Pat Etcheberry Certification in Strength, Conditioning and Movement in Sport and is a P1 certified tennis professional through the United States Professional Tennis Association.
Somers attended UC San Diego where she completed a standout career for Triton tennis. As captain, she led her team to a NCAA National Championship in 1994 and second place finish in 1995. She received many awards including the Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship and Leadership Award for the West Region in 1994 and the Most Inspirational Player Award during 1995-1996. She also competed on the UCSD intercollegiate basketball team.
Somers graduated from UCSD in 1996, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She completed her Master's degree in Sport Management at USF in June 2005.
Somers believes that the discipline, confidence, and mental toughness that is learned on the court can be utlizied off the court for a lifetime. "It is my hope that these ladies learn to walk on and off every court with their heads held high."
She resides in Redwood City with her husband and two sons, Matt and Dylan.
