WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue women's tennis head coach Laura Glitz announced that former player Mara Schmidt joined the program as a volunteer assistant for the 2019-20 season.
"Mara will bring a wealth of experience to our program," Glitz said. "When she played for us, Mara helped guide this program to new heights. She was a Big Ten Champion and part of the team that achieved our highest national ranking. Mara was a fierce competitor, and I believe she will be a great mentor to our women."
Schmidt played for the Boilermakers from 2010-14. She was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and an All-Big Ten selection as a junior in 2013. Schmidt is tied for third in program history with 82 doubles victories. She ranks seventh in singles wins with 78.
Along with playing partner Krisztina Kapitany, she achieved the highest ranking in program history at No. 12 to start the 2013-14 campaign. The duo teamed up to qualify for the NCAA Championships doubles flight, the first Boilermaker pair to be selected since 2000.
The Bradenton, Fla., native guided the Boilermakers to their first Big Ten Tournament Championship in 2012 and led the team three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
After her graduation in 2014, Schmidt featured in the ITF World Tennis Tour. She climbed up to No. 724 in singles and No. 471 in doubles in the WTA rankings. She reached a trio of doubles finals during her professional career and won the W15 Sanchez-Casal Florida in Naples earlier this summer.
"I am thrilled to return home to Purdue," Schmidt said. "I cannot wait to give back to the program and university that had such a profound impact on my life. I am excited to work closely with Laura and Daniela Vidal on staff to help this team take the next step."
Schmidt graduated with a degree in movement and sports science in 2014.