Coaching Staff

Tina McDermott | Head Coach

Tina McDermott was named head coach of the Vassar men’s tennis program in January 2019.  She came to Poughkeepsie after a successful three-year stint as head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo.

In 2023-24, the Brewers put together its strongest season to date under McDermott's tutelage as Vassar posted a 14-6 overall mark and a 6-2 record in Liberty League action.  The fall season saw senior Jay Wong and first year Eugene Lee, as well as, sophomore duo Nolan Kubiak and Ethan Mantell reach the semifinals at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships.  In addition, senior Benjamin Almquist reached the quarterfinals.  The Brewers had their most successful spring break trip with four straight victories including nationally ranked #40 Occidental and #37 Chapman.  Vassar went 6-2 in conference play to clinch the third overall seed in the Liberty League Championships.  The Brewers went on to defeat sixth-seeded Ithaca to advance to the semifinals.  For the first time since 2015 the Brewers defeated the second seed Hobart in a thrilling 5-4 match.  Appearing in its first Liberty League title match since 2013, the #47 Vassar College Men's Tennis team suffered a hard fought 5-2 defeat at the hands of top seeded and #22 RPI.

In 2022-23, the Brewers posted a 12-6 overall mark and a 6-2 record in Liberty League action. The fall season saw freshmen duo Nolan Kubiak and Fernando Bauermeister reach the doubles quarterfinal round at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships while junior Benjamin Almquist and sophomore Arnav Agostinho both reached the Round of 16 in singles. The Brewers opened the spring with four straight victories over RIT, Rochester, Bard and Union before heading west for its California trip where they picked up strong victories over Cal Lutheran and Chapman. Vassar collected three more conference victories over RPI, St. Lawrence and Ithaca to clinch the third overall seed in the Liberty League Championships. The Brewers went on to defeat sixth-seeded St. Lawrence to advance to the semifinals before falling in a 5-4 thriller against second-seeded Hobart.

Vassar was awarded multiple year-end honors as Bauermeister was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Year, Vassar Rookie of the Year, First Team Singles and First Team Doubles along with Kubiak garnering Honorable Mention Singles and First Team Doubles. Almquist was tabbed Second Team Singles for the second time in his career and was later named the ITA Northeast Region Athur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award winner. The Brewers also received the ITA Division III Northeast Region Community Service Award for the fourth straight season. The team also saw three players named to the Liberty League All-Academic team and the team was ranked nationally as high as #32 by the ITA.

The 2021-22 season was another strong campaign and return to full action for the Brewers, who posted a 10-9 overall mark with a 5-3 record in Liberty League action. The fall began with a solid effort at the ITA Northeast Regionals as sophomore Benjamin Almquist posted two wins in the opener, advancing to the Round of 16 before falling to the tournament’s top-seeded player. Spring action saw a win over Rochester and the Brewers’ first victory over Skidmore since the 2010 season. Vassar continued on with a number of critical victories, including Ithaca, St. Lawrence and Union to solidify their spot in the Liberty League Tournament. Three Brewers recorded 13 or more singles wins, including a team-best 16-5 mark for senior captain Mihajlo Ivanovic. Doubles action saw an outstanding effort from Almquist and sophomore Jay Wong as the pair combined for a 15-7 mark.

At season's end, the Liberty League coaches once again recognized the Brewers with a number of year-end honors. Sophomore Jay Wong was named All-League Second Team Singles, while classmate Benjamin Almquist was All-League Honorable Mention Singles. The Brewers also saw senior Mathew Yee and rookie Arnav Agostinho named All-League Second Team Doubles, after posting a 6-10 mark against strong opponents from the first flight. Additionally, five players were tabbed to the Liberty League All-Academic Team.

During the shortened 2020-21 season, McDermott mentored the Brewers squad to a 4-2 overall mark, going 4-1 during Liberty League play as Vassar finished the season ranked #34 in Division III. The squad advanced to the Liberty League Semifinals, shouldering a narrow 5-3 loss to nationally-ranked Rensselaer to close out the season. The league's coaches honored the Brewers with their outstanding efforts as senior David Gandham was named to the All-League First Team Singles, combining with classmate Adam Krueger for All-League Second Team Doubles. Rookie Jay Wong was All-League First Team Singles, while fellow freshman Benjamin Almquist was an All-League Second Team Singles selection. The pair combined for All-League Honorable Mention Doubles honors, while Krueger was an All-League Honorable Mention Singles honoree.

McDermott guided her squad to a 7-2 record in the pandemic shortened season in 2019-20. The team, which posted several outstanding wins, finished the year ranked #39 among Division III teams. During the campaign, the Brewers' seven victories included a 5-4 win over then-#37 Rochester. Vassar also concluded the season with a 3-1 mark in the Liberty League, including wins against Bard, RIT and St. Lawrence.

In 2018, she led the Hawaii Hilo men’s team to the best season in program history.  The Vulcans went 17-3 overall and went undefeated in the regular season against Division II opponents.  Hawaii Hilo reached the final of the Pacific West Conference Tournament and advanced to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time ever.   The Vulcans had a high ranking of No. 5 in the ITA national poll.

McDermott was recognized as both the Pacific West Conference and ITA West Region Men’s Coach of the Year in 2018.  She was also the 2017 West Region Men’s Coach of the Year, and she was named USPTA College Coach of the Year – Hawaii Division in 2015.

During her time at Hawaii Hilo, 11 players earned All-PacWest honors, including the 2017 and 2018 Men’s Newcomers of the Year.  She also coached the 2018 ITA Rookie of the Year.  In addition, two Vulcans received the ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award.

The Hawaii Hilo women’s team, meanwhile, twice received the Wilson ITA West Region Community Service Award.  McDermott led the Vulcan women to eight wins and a berth in the conference tournament in 2018.

She began her coaching career at Whittier College in 2014.  McDermott is also a U.S. Pro Tennis Association certified professional.

A native of Southern California, she was ranked No. 25 in the area as a junior player.  McDermott was a four-year letterwinner at UC Irvine.