Wyoming's Dean Clower Named Mountain West Coach of the Year

* University of Wyoming press release

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., – For the second time in his career, Wyoming tennis head coach Dean Clower has been named the Mountain West Coach of the Year, announced Monday by the league office.

The award is voted on by the league’s head coaches.

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Clower, who was also named the league’s top coach in 2015, led the Cowgirls to a 9-1 mark in league play this season and their first-ever Mountain West regular season title. Wyoming has been in the ITA National Rankings multiple weeks this season, reaching a highwater mark of No. 67 in the poll.

The Cowgirls are currently ranked No. 70 in the poll and next week, will play in the inaugural Universal Tennis NIT Championships.

It is UW’s first postseason tournament in program history.

This season, Clower helped guide a trio to All-Mountain West honors in Ana Fernandez, Maria Oreshkina and Sophie Zehender. Oreshkina and Zehender were both named to the All-Singles Team while Fernandez was named All-Doubles along with her partner, Zehender. Oreshkina becomes just the second Cowgirl to be named all-conference four times in her career while it is the third singles and doubles honor for Zehender and third accolade for Fernandez.

While helming the Cowgirls, Clower has coached 12 doubles teams to All-Mountain West honors and 21 All-Singles honorees. In his 12 seasons at UW, Clower has led the Cowgirls to a program record 152 wins overall and 53 MW victories.

The NIT tournament, which is held in Atlanta, will run from May 17-20 and is hosted by the world-renowned tennis association, Universal Tennis. The Cowgirls join Air Force, UC Northridge, Colorado, Iowa, TCU, Stetson and Vanderbilt in the eight-team tournament. Draws for the event will be announced Monday, May 8.