Worcester, MA --- Director of Athletics Sue Chapman has announced that current women's tennis assistant coach Albana Xhemollari will take over the reigns as the new head coach of the program.

Xhemollari replaces Ann DiLeo who resigned to spend more time with her family. Xhemollari becomes the seventh head coach since the team was established as a varsity sport in 1970.

Xhemollari, a 2010 Worcester State graduate, was a four-year starter of the women's tennis team and captain in her senior year. She wrapped up her career as the 15th women's tennis student-athlete to become a member of the 25-point club.

Upon her graduation, Xhemollari was also presented with the prestigious Ella May Whitney Award at her commencement to recognize academic achievement and community service to the university. While at WSU, Xhemollari also was a four-time member of the MASCAC All-Academic team and served as the women's tennis representative on the Student Athletics Advisory Committee. During the summer while still enrolled as an undergraduate, Xhemollari spent two years as a tennis and reading instructor to inner city youth at Tenacity Inc.

As a high school athlete, Xhemollari was a four-year starter, a three-year captain and played at first singles in every match at North High School. In addition to competing on the girls soccer team, she was one of three athletes to be honored with the Senior Athletic Award. Xhemollari was also awarded the girls tennis Coaches Award and the North High's Gatorade High School Player of the Year Award.

Xhemollari is a USTA Volunteer and has most recently volunteered for the Fed Cup 2012 event where United States competed against Belarus. She still competes in a recreational tennis league and holds a 3.5 USTA rating.