She has been operating her own business, the Saluki Tennis and Sports Company, and working out of the Carbondale Sports Center for the past five years. While there, she has been coaching Carbondale High School's boys and girls teams. The men's and women's teams have historically been very supportive of each other, so I have had some connection with the men s teams since 1987. I've had a lot of the former male players teach and work for me, and I've coached several Saluki men s tennis players in private lessons. What the players really care about is a coach who works hard for them, makes sure their needs are met, and who is actively trying to make the men's program as good as it can be.
Missy brings all that to the table.
You can't argue with her enthusiasm and desire to win. I think the players' acceptance of her was the key factor from the standpoint of gender not being an issue. She won 100 of her 156 matches during a four-year career at SIU while playing at the No. 1 singles position.