|
 Men's Tennis: Eric Ishida
Alma Mater: Ohio '04 | Years at Oberlin: 12
Eric Ishida is headed into his 12th season as the head coach of the Oberlin men's tennis program in 2023-24.
The 2015 and 2017 NCAC Coach of the Year, Ishida has revitalized the Yeomen tennis program during his tenure with 111 wins since 2014 after the Yeomen won just 30 combined matches in the four seasons prior. He has recorded six seasons of double-digit victories and has led the team into the ITA national and regional rankings.
The Ishida File
- Oberlin finished fourth in the NCAC in 2019 while ending the season ranked #11 in the region
- His team placed third in the NCAC in 2018, ending the season ranked 35th in the nation and ninth in the region while mentoring four All-NCAC selections.
- The 2017 squad finished third in the NCAC Tournament, defeating Denison University (5-2) for the first time since 1974
- That team recorded a 16-10 record as Ishida mentored Ian Paik (first-team), Jeremy Lichtmacher (first-team), Stephen Gruppuso (honorable-mention) and Michael Drougas (second-team) to All-NCAC honors
- Led the Yeomen to a 15-9 record in 2015-2016 with Ian Paik '17 (first-team) and Michael Drougas (second-team) earning All-NCAC honors
- The Yeomen captured fourth in the NCAC Tournament in both 2015 and 2016, improving on the team's league finish in each of his first three seasons
- Oberlin concluded the 2014-2015 season ranked 12th in the ITA Central Region and moved up to 11th in 2015-2016, marking one of the best finishes in school history, while Ian Paik garnered First-Team All-NCAC honors and a regional ranking of #16
- In the same year, he coached Michael Drougas to NCAC Newcomer of the Year and All-NCAC Second-Team honors
- Has Produced three consecutive NCAC Newcomer of the Year award winners: Callan Louis (2013), Ian Paik (2014), Michael Drougas (2015)
- Came to Oberlin after a successful tenure as the head women's tennis coach at Washington and Lee University (VA) where he guided his team to a berth in the NCAA Championship Tournament in each season along with a pair of quarterfinal appearances, including a national runner-up finish in 2008
- In five seasons as the Generals head coach, Ishida compiled an impressive 107-26 record and coached eight ITA All-Americans. His 2011 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in Div III by tennisrecruiting.net. The 2012 squad won the ITA National Indoor Championship and was ranked as high as #3 in the NCAA national poll
- A 2004 graduate of Ohio University, Ishida played three years of collegiate tennis at Wright State University before transferring to OU to complete his degree in physical education
- He also earned his master's degree in coaching education from Ohio University in 2013
|
 Women's Tennis: Magda Stepnik
Alma Mater: Florida Southern University '20 | Years at Oberlin: First
Magda Stepnik was announced head women's tennis coach in June of 2023.
Stepnik came to Oberlin after spending the 2022-23 season as the assistant men's and women's tennis coach at Bates College (ME) where she also served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Stepnik played a vital role in all facets of the Bobcats' tennis programs, assisting with daily operations, recruiting, prospect camps, player development, and social media.
Competing in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), which is regarded as one of the toughest in the nation, Stepnik helped lead the Bobcats to a combined 12 wins, including four NESCAC victories on the men's side. The season was highlighted by nationally-ranked wins over MIT (31), Skidmore (30), and Wesleyan (18), while the Bobcat women also knocked off No. 37 Wellesley.
Prior to her time at Bates, Stepnik worked as an assistant tennis coach and instructor at Smith College (MA) from 2020-22, earning Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Assistant Coach of the Year accolades in her second season after helping the Pioneers have their most successful campaign in over 12 years. During her tenure in Northampton, she also taught courses in Smith's Exercise and Sport Studies department while earning a master's degree in sport and exercise science from the institution.
A native of Kielce, Poland, she has also coached with the Polish Tennis Association in Warsaw, Poland, as well as with MUKS Gemik Kielce.
A three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, Stepnik was four-year letterwinner at Division II Florida Southern University, combining for 82 wins between the doubles and singles courts while ranking as high as 42nd in the country in singles in 2019. She graduated in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science and a minor in sports business.
|