FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Eavenson announced Wednesday that Scott Handback has been named head coach of the Monarch women's tennis program. With the appointment, Handback will oversee both the Methodist men's and women's tennis programs.
 
"We are excited to welcome Scott as our Head Women's and Men's Tennis Coach," said Eavenson. "Scott served as our interim head women's coach this spring in addition to his role as our head men's coach. He did an outstanding job leading both of our programs as both teams advanced to the championship game of the USA South Conference Tournament."
 
During his interim season leading the women's program, Handback guided the Monarchs to a 15-3 overall record, marking the program's most wins in a season since 2019. Methodist posted a 4-1 record in USA South play, earning the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament before advancing to the championship match, where the Monarchs fell to nationally ranked North Carolina Wesleyan University. Following the season, Emma Hulicki earned First Team All-USA South honors, while Shea Bieniek was named USA South Rookie of the Year after also receiving All-Conference recognition.
 
"I am excited about this opportunity to continue to build on the success the women's team experienced this past season," said Handback. "The tennis programs here at Methodist have a long history of success and my goal is to elevate the men's and women's programs back into the national spotlight."
 
"Both teams are great groups of student-athletes who are committed to developing into champions both on and off the court. Our job as coaches is to assist them in that process."
 
Handback was named Methodist's head men's tennis coach in July 2024 after serving as the program's interim head coach during the 2024 spring season. He has also served as the University's Director of the Professional Tennis Management Program since 2019.
 
Handback's 2026 team had another successful season, finishing 13–7 and advancing to the USA South championship match. Two student-athletes, Matthew Hurley and Harry Crokam, were selected as First Team All-Conference players.

During the 2025 season, Handback guided the men's team to a 13–7 overall record, including a 5–1 mark in USA South play, as the Monarchs advanced to the conference tournament finals for the first time since 2019. Three student-athletes earned All-Conference honors, highlighted by Matthew Hurley, who became just the fifth Monarch in program history to be named USA South Player of the Year.

In his first season leading the men's program in 2024, Handback directed Methodist to a 10-7 record, including a 4-2 conference mark, and guided the Monarchs to the No. 3 seed in the USA South Tournament. Methodist defeated William Peace University in the quarterfinals before narrowly missing a trip to the championship match. Three Monarchs also received All-Conference recognition, including First Team selection Matthew Hurley and Second Team honorees Wills Belser and Harry Crokam.
 
"Scott's teams compete with class and at a high level on the court and in the classroom," Eavenson added. "We are excited about the bright future ahead for our tennis programs under his leadership!"