Women's Tennis Coach Ximena Moore Announces Retirement

Montomgery, Ala.-Women's Tennis Coach Ximena Moore has announced her retirement from Huntingdon College after 20 years of coaching. 

Moore joined the Huntingdon staff in 2002 and became the head women's tennis coach in 2003. In that time she has taken the women's tennis program to new heights at the NCAA Division III level.

In 20 seasons, her teams have an overall record of 232-108 and a 113-25 conference record in the USA South Athletic Conference (2014-present) and the Great South Athletic Conference (2003-2013).

Moore became the program's winningest coach in 2008, passing former Huntingdon coach John McWilliams' record of 63 wins.

"I am so thankful for the opportunity that Huntingdon College former Head Women's Tennis Coach, John McWilliams offered me in 2001 when I had recently graduated from Auburn University Montgomery, AUM, as I was planning to return to my home country, Colombia," Moore said. "Coach McWilliams asked me to be his women's assistant coach that year.  I am grateful to the administration of President, J. Cameron West, and Mr, Jay Dorman, who supported the coach in my hiring and their belief  in me to be a good fit to the program."

The 2019 Hawks finished with a 14-5 record, marking 15 straight winning seasons and the 15th consecutive season the program recorded double-digit wins. Huntingdon was 7-1 in regular-season conference matches before falling in the first round of the USA South Tournament.

"Ximena Moore was our most tenured head coach within the athletic department, and over her 20 year career our women's tennis program was arguably one of, if not the most, competitive team from year to year," Athletic Director Eric Levanda said. "As a coach, she was good at developing players' skills individually while also creating a family atmosphere among the team itself year in and year out. She is also responsible for recruiting and fostering a number of graduates whom we hold in high esteem. Huntingdon may not have ever known them and them Huntingdon, if not for Ximena. I wish her and her family the best of luck in the future."

"This opportunity has given me so many great memories, friendships, and I thank the 75 players I recruited over the years, many of whom have brought their children to Huntingdon for matches, ball games, and events," Moore said. "I am thankful for all the players that have come to the program over the years who believed in me, trusted me, and challenged me in ways I never imagined. Each made me a better coach and the coach that I am today."

Prior to joining the USA South, Huntingdon competed in the GSAC for 11 seasons. Moore's teams placed third or better in the conference each season, posted a 63-11 conference record and reached the GSAC tournament finals each of their final seven seasons.

Moore has guided Huntingdon to the NCAA Division III national tournament twice. The Hawks were 14-6 overall and unbeaten in the GSAC when they made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2007. Huntingdon defeated Meredith College for the school's first NCAA postseason victory. The team finished with a Top-25 Atlantic South Region Ranking by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. 

In 2009 and 2010, Huntingdon was undefeated in regular-season GSAC competition. From 2007 until 2011, the Hawks put together a regular-season winning streak of 30 straight GSAC matches.

During the GSAC-era, Moore coached 36 All-Conference players, 19 All-Freshmen selections, five conference Freshman of the Year, one conference Player of the Year and was named conference Coach of the Year four times (2005, 2007, 2010 and 2013)..

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Moore was a standout player at Auburn University-Montgomery. During her four-years, she helped the Lady Senators capture the NAIA National Doubles Championships all four seasons, as well as earning the NAIA Team National Championships during her final three years.

As a freshman, she won the doubles portion of the Rolex Tournament and was named "Player to Watch" in the NAIA. She also earned Honorable Mention All-America honors all four years. Moore was inducted into the AUM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

"Whomever Huntingdon choses as the next head women's tennis coach inherits a program in great shape. I wish them the best in continuing the winning tradition," Moore said.

The search for Moore's replacement is currently underway.