HILO, Hawai`i—Tina McDermott, the 2018 Pacific West Conference Men's Tennis Coach of the Year, is leaving Hawai`i Hilo to become the men's tennis coach at Vassar College in New York.

McDermott coached the University of Hawai`i Hilo men's and women's tennis teams for three seasons. Last spring, the Vulcan men's team finished 17-3, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II national tournament. Additionally, she was named the ITA Division II West Region Men's Coach of the Year in 2018.

The southern California native was also the ITA West Region Men's Coach of the Year in 2017 after the Vulcans showed a seven-win improvement (13-11) and finished third in the PacWest Conference. McDermott's three-year record at UH Hilo was 36-25 on the men's side.

McDermott's women's team finished 8-10 last year, a three-match win improvement from the year previous. Prior to her time on the Big Island, McDermott coached one season at Division III Whittier in southern California.

"Coach McDermott has done an excellent job with both our men's and women's programs in a short period of time and I am very sorry to see her go," said UH Hilo athletic director Patrick Guillen. "But I know Vassar made her an offer she couldn't refuse and they are very fortunate to get a coach of this caliber.  She has left the Vulcans program in better shape than when she arrived and has laid a strong foundation for this year and the immediate future.  I can't ask for anything more than that.  We wish her the best of luck in her next chapter."

McDermott's resignation will officially be effective on January 16. She will stay on until then to assist in the transition.

McDermott is a former top junior player in California and played collegiately at UC Irvine.

Vassar is a Division III school that is located in Poughkeespie, New York. The Brewers compete in the Liberty League. They finished 7-13 last year and were 5-5 in league action.

A search for McDermott's replacement is underway and is expected to be announced soon.