Release from Drake UniversityDES MOINES, Iowa – Mai-Ly Tran was named women's tennis head coach at Drake University, it was announced by Associate Athletic Director Brian Brown on Thursday, July 28."
A 2008 graduate of Cal State Fullerton and four-year member of the Titan tennis team, Tran returned to her alma mater in the fall of 2013 as an assistant coach to work with head coach Dianne Matias.
In three short years, the Titans have revamped the program, totaling a 35-33 (.515) overall record, while also compiling nine Big West Conference awards, six Big West Player of the Week honors and 11 Big West All-Academic accolades while recently producing the best season in program.
"I would like to thank Jim Donovan, Dianne Matias and the rest of the Cal State Fullerton Athletic Department for their support of me taking this big step in my career," Tran said. "I would not be here today without the support of this amazing athletic department. Coaching at Cal State Fullerton under Dianne has been an honor. I am thankful for her guidance and belief in me as a coach. I am also proud of our team and what our student-athletes accomplished in the last three years, and I wish them the best."
In 2016, the Titans set program records for most wins in a single season (17), most Big West Conference victories (6), and best conference finish (3rd).
"We are very excited and happy for Mai-Ly," Matias said. "She has made a tremendous impact on the Cal State Fullerton program and our student-athletes. We were very fortunate to have her on our coaching staff for the last three years and we are thankful for all that she has contributed to our program. She will do great things at Drake University. On behalf of our administration, support staff, coaches and student- athletes, we all wish Mai-Ly the best and more success as she begins this next chapter in her coaching career."
Last year, Cal State Fullerton also recorded its first winning season since 2004, and its first winning record in conference play, while the team's overall winning percentage (.739) and league winning percentage (.750) were also program bests.
Fullerton ended the season with an 89-45 (.664) record in singles play and a 37-16 (.698) mark in doubles action, both program records.
In addition, Fullerton compiled an eight-match win streak from Feb. 3 – March 7, the longest for the program on record dating back to 1981.
During her time at Fullerton, Tran tutored three-time Big West Singles First Team selection Alexis Valenzuela – the first Titan ever selected to the Big West First Team. In addition in 2016, Valenzuela and doubles partner Camille De Leon became just the second Titan team in program history to receive Big West Conference First Team accolades.
The doubles team of De Leon and Valenzuela finished the year ranked 56th in the Oracle/ITA Collegiate Tennis Women's Rankings, and ninth in the Southwest Region.
Prior to Cal State Fullerton, Tran served as the Director of Tennis at Hope International University. Tran joined HIU after coaching four years at Orange Lutheran High School.
Tran took over the coaching reigns for the boy's and girl's programs at Orange Lutheran in the fall of 2008. After taking fourth place in the Trinity League the year before Tran's arrival, the girl's team improved to second place in 2008.
In 2009, the Lancers went one step further and became co-league champions. Tran also coached Kaitlyn Christian - the nation's then No. 1 ranked high school girl's tennis player - at Orange Lutheran.
Tran attended Greenway High School in Phoenix, Ariz., for her first three years of high school before moving to Bolsa Grande High School in Santa Ana, Calif. for her senior year.
She was named MVP all four years of her high school career while playing at No. 1 singles. Tran placed third in the Arizona State championships as a freshman and sophomore, and she helped lead her team to the second round of the 2002 CIF III Tournament as well as posting an undefeated singles record as a senior.