Washington State Women’s Head Tennis Coach Raquel Atawo announced Sept. 1, 2021 the addition of Fons Verberne as the Cougars assistant coach.
In his first season in Pullman, Verberne helped WSU Tennis see a dramatic improvement from the start of the season to the final match. His work with Michaela Bayerlova saw the Cougar senior reach the NCAA Championship quarterfinals, the first player in program history to do so. She also finished the year ranked No. 19 nationally, the highest ranking for a Cougar player. Bayerlova’s 20-3 record marked a 10-win improvement over her previous season. Verberne also assisted with the developement of Savanna Ly-Nguyen, who earned the 2022 ITA Northwest Region Most Improved Senior Award.
Verberne arrived in Pullman having spent the past two seasons as the assistant women’s coach at the University of Delaware. While at Delaware, Verberne played a large role in the on-court development of the Blue Hen student-athletes, mentored players academically, athletically and personally, assisted with practice plans and recruiting efforts, as well as scheduling and budget development.
Prior to Delaware, Verberne spent the 2018-19 season as a volunteer assistant coach for the women’s tennis program at the University of Missouri. During his time with the Tigers, Verberne assisted with international recruiting, daily practice and team travel, in addition to on court coaching responsibilities.
Verberne also spent two seasons as the volunteer assistant coach for the men’s tennis program at his alma mater, Saint Leo University. In addition to his coaching duties with the Lions, he assisted with practice and conditioning plans, constructed player development and assisted with international recruiting.
He also served as the full-time hitting partner of professional Salome Devidze and was a part-time coach at the Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, where he guided junior, ITF and Future’s players.
The Helmond, Netherlands, native played at Saint Leo from 2013-16 and claimed All-Sunshine State Conference second team honors in singles in 2014. Verberne helped the Lions claim the Sunshine State Conference regular season and tournament titles and advance to the NCAA Division II national title match. Additionally, he reached as high as No. 82 in the men’s Netherland’s rankings.
Verberne graduated with a bachelor’s in sport business from Saint Leo in 2015 and earned a master of business administration from Saint Leo in 2018.
