The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women's Tennis
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- 2010 ITA Texas Region Assistant Coach of the Year
- Has helped lead Texas to three NCAA top-10 finishes in addition to NCAA top-20 finishes in all eight previous seasons
A former two-time All-American and assistant coach at the University of Washington, Darija Klaic (DAR-ee-ah KLICH) begins her ninth season alongside head coach Patty Fendick-McCain as an assistant coach for The University of Texas women's tennis team.
"Darija's breadth of experience and wealth of knowledge about the mechanics, strategy and nuances of tennis have set her apart as one of the best coaches in the country," Fendick-McCain said. "Darija is always cutting-edge with new training techniques, and she integrates that information into our program. Darija is an amazing resource, and UT is very fortunate to retain her."
Klaic helped Fendick-McCain secure NCAA top-10 finishes for Texas in 2008, 2010 and 2012. The Longhorns won the 2012 and 2013 Big 12 Championships and have reached the finals at the Big 12 Championships in all eight seasons under Klaic and Fendick-McCain. UT also won a share of the Big 12 regular season crown in 2007. In 2010, Klaic was selected by her peers as the ITA Texas Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
Klaic joined Fendick-McCain's staff at Washington during the 2004 NCAA Championships and made an immediate impact, helping the Huskies to an NCAA quarterfinal appearance and a No. 9 final national rank. Washington was ranked as high as No. 4 with Fendick-McCain and Klaic at the helm during the 2004-05 season.
"Darija's international background brings a great perspective to our program," Fendick-McCain continued. "Her successful playing background as a Croatian national champion and All-American at Washington gives her great insight into not only the strategic side of competition but also the mental side of the game. Darija is a great asset to our team with her real-time coaching before, after and during matches."
Klaic entered the coaching ranks after completing a highly successful playing career at UW. The native of Zupanja, Croatia collected All-America doubles honors in 2002 and 2003 and was ranked as high as No. 3 nationally in doubles.
Klaic totaled at least 20 doubles victories in three of her four seasons at UW and ranks first in UW season doubles wins and doubles winning percentage and second in career doubles victories. Klaic was a 2002 All-Pac 10 honorable mention selection and was a three-year member of the Pac-10 All-Academic Team. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from UW in 2003 and was a five-time selection to the Dean's List.
Prior to her collegiate tennis career, Klaic starred in her native Croatia, where she won an individual national championship. A member of the Croatian National Tennis Team from 1992-1999, Klaic helped Croatia to first place at the 1998 European U18 Team Championships. She also placed ninth at the 1997 NEC World Youth Cup and participated in several European individual championships and International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments.
