Former Winona Senior High School tennis coach Tom Sanvik has taken over the women’s tennis program at Winona State University.

Sanvik replaced Heather Reilly, who was the head coach since 2011 and was the first tennis head coach at Winona State to pass the 100-win threshold.

Reilly retired in July, which prompted Winona State to look to Snavik.

Sanvik coached boy’s and girl’s tennis at Winona State High School since 1988.

Sanvik competed in both men’s tennis and hockey for Minnesota State University, Mankato and earned a bachelor’s degree in education, with a specialization in special education. He then went on to earn a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota in 1999.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tennis season was terminated earlier than expected and the Warriors were 10-4 overall in the 2019-2020 season. Currently, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) has canceled all sport competition until the spring.

Sanvik said he is looking to get and keep the ball rolling for the women’s tennis team program in the upcoming season.

“I am really excited at this opportunity to work with high-level collegiate players,” said Sanvik. “I have been coaching tennis for 35 years at Winona Senior High School and I know that these opportunities don’t come along very often. Coach Reilly has done a wonderful job with the program and we are going to work hard to keep the momentum going. I am really excited for this new coaching challenge.”

Warrior Athletic Director Eric Schoh said he is looking forward to Sanvik coaching in the program.

“We are excited to have Tom join our Warrior family,” Schoh said. “His years of experience as a tennis pro and head coach are a welcomed addition to our staff, and he will no doubt provide our student-athletes with the high level of coaching they deserve.”

The opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of Winona State University, the Minnesota State Colleges and University system, or the Winona State University student body.