Walters Named Assistant Coach

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF Director of Tennis John Roddick rounded out his men's tennis coaching staff on Friday with the hiring of Matt Walters as an assistant coach.
 
"We are really excited to have Matt join our program," Roddick said. "He has extensive experience working with some of the world's top juniors while at IMG, and he did a great job during his time at Miss State. He is also a great role model for our players and our student-athletes could not be more excited to start working with him."
 
Walters arrived in Orlando after spending the 2016-17 season at Mississippi State. In his lone season in Starkville, Miss., Walters guided the Bulldogs to a 21-9 record and an 8-4 mark in SEC play. MSU defeated SMU in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to No. 14 Oklahoma in the Second Round. The Bulldogs finished the year ranked 18th in the country.
 
MSU sophomore Nuno Borges reached the NCAA Men's Tennis Singles Championship Semifinals, climbing to number three in the Oracle/ITA Division I rankings.
 
Walters was hired by Miss State in 2016 after spending the previous two seasons in Bradenton, Fla., coaching at the IMG Academy. While at the academy, Walters worked with top ITF juniors, serving as a mentor and coach to the student-athletes.
 
Walters has coached players who have participated in a wide range of high-level junior events, such as the Junior Australian Open, French Championships, Junior Wimbledon Championships and U.S. Open Junior Championships.
 
Before his time in Bradenton, Walters was the owner, president and head tennis professional for the APEX Tennis Club in Fayetteville, Ark.
 
Walters played collegiately at the University of Arkansas, lettering all four years with the Razorbacks while being named co-captain twice. During his playing career at Arkansas he earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll from 2009-2012, while garnering All-Academic ITA from 2011-2012. On the court, Walters was a formidable doubles competitor as he climbed in the top 50 ITA rankings during his senior season.
 
Walters will have a very short adjustment period before competition begins. The Knights are scheduled to open their fall slate next week at the Bedford Cup. 

UCF also brought in Josef Manilla as the volunteer assistant coach for the program last month. 

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