Local Successes in Tennis: Finding a career in tennis
We are all learning about the numerous health and social benefits of tennis, no matter what age or what level you play, tennis is known to be the “sport for a lifetime”
Kids can learn to play tennis as early as the age of 4 and continue with lessons and team tennis or just for the fun of it all! They can also take tennis one step further by playing high school tennis, and continue on to play college tennis but is there a career in tennis after playing College Tennis?
For these 4 local tennis players, the answer is “yes”! Learn what they have to say about each of their journeys to becoming college coaches.
LAUREN CONCHING: How I got started: At the age of 4 in Seoul, Korea with Mr. Park on a clay court behind our apartment building in Hanam Dong.
High School: Kaiser High, Honolulu, HI
Journey to becoming a college coach: Collin County Community College in Plano, Texas/Stonybrook University in NY.
I started my collegiate career at Collin County College in Plano, Texas, where I won the 2001 National Junior College doubles title and placed 2nd in the National Junior College Athletic Association team finals. I transferred to Stony Brook University in New York, where I completed my tennis eligibility and earned a BA in English and journalism.
I joined HPU in 2007 as an assistant coach under Stefan Pampulov and was named the ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2010 then took over as the head coach from 2011-2023, finishing with a 202-70 (.743) overall record, three PacWest Championships, two National ITA/Wilson Coach of the Year awards (2013, 2018) and six NCAA Final Four appearances.
In June of 2023 I began working for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), the governing body of college, tennis, as the Director of Coach Education.
RAYDEN MURATA: How I got started: I started tennis at an early age. Both of my parents were pretty active tennis players in the Hawaii tennis community. My mom, Joey Murata, played in high school as well as USTA and HTL leagues. My dad, Albert Murata, was the Director of Tennis at Waialae Iki for 35 years until recently moving back home to Kona to be the Director of Tennis at the Royal Kona Resort. I played other sports like soccer and flag football but eventually decided to focus on tennis due to so many scheduling conflicts. I played JTT like many other kids from Hawaii do, but I didn't start competing in tournaments until I was in 8th grade/high school. At this stage, my grandpa Alan Kim, played a big role in helping me develop further as he'd take me out to Kapalono park on Thursdays to play with his weekly group of guys. Picking up tennis was something that was always bound to happen for me due to my family's connection with the sport.
High School: Kalani High School, Honolulu, HI
I graduated from Kalani High School in 2016. In my senior year, we had some great players on our team: Darrell Huang, Daniel Huang, Chad Aoki, my brother Koby Murata. Having such talent on the team led us to an OIA team title in 2016, ending an almost 10 year winning streak by Mililani. The highlight of my high school career however, was placing top 4 in doubles with my brother in the 2016 HHSAA championships in Kona.
I played DIII college tennis for 5 years at Pacific University located in Forest Grove, Oregon. While there I was a 2nd team NWC selection as well as a 1st team NWC selection, amassing wins over players across all NCAA levels (CC, DII, and D1). By the end of my senior year, our team was ranked #17 in the nation. My time there was so memorable, not just for the playing, but the culture we created and the relationships I made while there. I was lucky enough to be teammates with some other Hawaii players.
I started coaching in the Fall of 2015 as a volunteer for the USTA. It quickly turned into a paid position where I worked primarily under Coach Mimi and Coach Maddy. I never saw myself being a leader or a coach but I knew that tennis was something I was passionate about. During my college years, I'd spend my winter and summer breaks working for the USTA which started to build my confidence in my ability to coach.
Journey to becoming a college coach: Pacific (Oregon) / current head coach
In the spring of 2021, during my 5th year, I applied for a coaching job for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). I got the position where I'd be coaching players of all levels (age 5-over 60). Being an employee of the University allowed me the opportunity to not just watch the men's and women's intercollegiate teams practice everyday, but I was able to help out and see what it takes to coach college tennis at the Big 10 level. Head coaches, Brad Dancer and Evan Clark, were kind enough to let me help out once in a while where I got a whole new perspective of college tennis that I've never seen before.
In the summer of 2022, while I was still in Illinois, I was notified that my alma mater, Pacific University, had started a search for a new head coach. Having had no official experience coaching at the college level, I was hesitant at first to even apply. After talking to my college coaches and others I made connections with while here, I realized that I knew the program and the university better than anyone else. Given how active I was on campus as a student here, being the president of our Student Athlete Advisory Committee and a member of the Undergraduate Student Senate, I had a feeling I had a shot! I wanted to see Pacific University thrive and if I got this job, I'd be in a position to give our current student-athletes the best experience I could possibly give.The AD here decided to take a gamble on me, a 23-year old from Hawaii with no prior college coaching experience. I spent my first year as an interim and after ending the season on a 2nd place conference finish and getting a couple of my players nationally ranked, my position here became permanent. I love being a part of this program and I love my team. I feel extremely honored to be a part of this small group of amazing and inspirational Hawaii-born coaches that represent our beautiful state within the NCAA.
TRISTEN BRYANT OTAKE How I got started: My mom and grandma used to always play tennis recreationally so naturally they would bring me along to just sit and watch them play. So once I was about 6 years old I picked up my first racquet and haven’t put it down since.
High School: Mid-Pacific Institute , Honolulu, HI
Journey to becoming a college coach: I moved around a bit but originally played for Univeristy of Northern Colorado for 1.5 years then transferred and played 1.5 years (half a year cut short due to COVID) at Western Kentucky University. Then played one year in grad school at Minnesota State University Mankato.
Once I graduated from Western Kentucky I had my mind pretty much set on college coaching but wanted to play at least another year and get my masters. So I found Minnesota State Mankato and it offered both. I played my one year with them and in Fall of 22 I decide to become a volunteer coach. And at the end of our season i was lucky enough to become the next head coach for Mankato. I am in my first year as head coach and it has been a great learning experience so far and I can’t wait to see what spring hold for us. Roll Mavs!
KALLEN MIZAGUCHI: How I got started : I started tennis at the age of 8. I played both baseball and tennis until the age of 12, where I decided to go with Tennis because of my older sister, Krystal.
High School : Waiākea High School in Hilo, HI.
Journey to becoming a college coach: Played four years at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
In the Spring of 2019, the previous head coach left to take another coaching position. My intention was to coach one semester and go back to my father’s company, but here I am in my 5th season as head coach and I am truly loving it!
UH Hilo: current head coach