As a second team All-Patriot League performer as a freshman, captain of the women’s team and a three-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, Taylor Hampshire, ’14, is working her second season as an assistant coach for the Lehigh men’s and women’s tennis teams.
Assistant tennis coach Taylor Hampshire hits a ball for the Lehigh women’s tennis team in 2012. Hampshire played for Lehigh from 2011-2014 before becoming the the team’s assistant coach. (Courtesy of Lehigh Athletics)
Hampshire played No. 1 singles and doubles as a freshman. However, due to injuries along the way, she mostly focused on playing doubles for the Mountain Hawks, finishing her senior year with a 7-9 record at the No. 2 flight.
Graduating from Lehigh with a degree in sociology/social psychology, Hampshire decided to pursue her career in graduate school at Lehigh while becoming a graduate assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s programs. Hampshire was then moved up to the assistant coach’s position, taking on an even larger responsibility alongside head coach Wouter Hendrix.
She said the previous relationships and friendships she has had with teammates will always remain, but there is a fine line between being a friend and being a coach.
“It has definitely been a hard transition going from player to coach, but with the helpful advice from the administrative staff, as well as (Hendrix), I have learned how to balance both,” Hampshire said. “It definitely helped that I was captain of the women’s team, so I already had a leadership role with the players.”
Former teammate and friend junior Jamie Campisi describes her relationship with Hampshire as being professional, including an understanding of the balance and respect for Hampshire as a coach on the court and a friend outside of it. Campisi said Hampshire does a good job balancing her relationships with the players and everyone on the team respects Hampshire as a coach, listening and taking her seriously just as they do with the rest of the coaching staff.
Hendrix said having Hampshire as a part of the coaching staff is a privilege. He emphasized Hampshire’s competitive drive as one of her best qualities.
He agreed with the challenge of switching from player to coach. But because of Hampshire’s maturity and conscientiousness, he described her transition as seamless.
Assistant tennis coach Taylor Hampshire (Courtesy of Lehigh Athletics)
Hampshire discussed both teams’ focus on “buying in” and trusting one another, holding each player and coach accountable to do their jobs and believe that each job will get done.
Julie Ammary, the director for athletics leadership development at Lehigh, has hosted team consulting meetings with both teams to narrow down and identify the each teams’ individual and unified goals.
Hampshire talked about the significance of team chemistry and how it has always been one of the most important, if not the greatest, attribute to her team’s success when she played for Lehigh.
“Both the men’s and women’s teams are extremely close with their respective teams, so there is a great team chemistry,” she said. “It is especially seen during these matches because even though tennis is a very individual sport, each person fights out for their teammates that are on the court next to them.”
Campisi noticed Hampshire’s effect on team, specifically toward the doubles players. Campisi said Hampshire’s ability to coach toward the area she had played in her entire tennis career is beneficial for the team.
Hampshire’s advice and extra knowledge have impacted the doubles players positively.
“She got us to be more aggressive playing doubles because she is so good at it,” Campisi said. “She helps us. She remembers really good drills and is able to implement those into practice.”
Hampshire said she is confident in her balance maintaining her friendships with former players, going out to dinner sometimes outside of Lehigh’s campus, and her professional coaching career. Although her relationships with the men and women who she has not previously played with is definitely different and more of a coach-to-player relationship. She hopes all players feel comfortable having an open communication with her and all of the coaches.
Hendrix and Campisi both said they confidently believe in Hampshire’s successful and inspiring attributes in her transformation, taking on another season as an assistant coach for both teams.
“I have tremendous admiration for her reliability and consistency,” Hendrix said. “I feel blessed to work with her.”
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