Van Handel Named State Girls Tennis Coach of the Year
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After leading Neenah to its first WIAA state girls tennis championship, Kelly Van Handel has been named the Wisconsin High School Tennis Coaches Association Division 1 Coach of the Year.
Van Handel earned the honor through a vote by her peers after her squad finished 18-1 and defeated Brookfield East 4-3 in the championship match for the school’s first state title. It marked the first girls tennis state title for any Fox Valley Association school.
Van Handel is a 2008 graduate of Neenah High School and completed her fourth year as the Rockets’ head coach. She has amassed a 66-6 record during her four seasons, winning the conference championship and advancing to the state tournament each year. The Rockets finished state runner-up with a 17-1 record in 2014, losing their only match to Arrowhead in the state finals.
Van Handel played on three state tournament teams from 2005-07 during her playing career at Neenah. She also played collegiately for four seasons at St. Norbert from 2008-11. She played No. 1 doubles all four seasons for the Green Knights and No. 1 singles for three seasons.
Madison Edgewood coach Tod Lacey was named the Division 2 Coach of the Year after also leading his team to the state title.
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