MOUNT VERNON — Looking to turn around the Cougars' tennis results, Jeff Bane has been tabbed as the new leader of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s and women’s tennis programs, as announced by Director of Athletics Chip Wilson on Aug. 2.
"We are excited to have Jeff join our team and leading our tennis programs at MVNU,” Wilson said. “I look forward to watching him develop as a coach in this position and seeing his impact on our students and campus community."
Bane grew up in southern Ohio, and has played and been involved in sports his entire life. For the past 30 years, after graduating from OSU with a major in ministry, Bane has been involved in pastoral ministry in a variety of roles. He has been a student pastor, church planter/pastor and a missions and outreach pastor (including sports outreach). During this time, Bane coached multiple sports at various levels and directed sports programs involving hundreds of children and volunteers.
Bane has been married to his wife, Joanna, for more than 28 years. The Banes have three children; two girls who have already graduated from college and moved into their careers, and one son, who is a sophomore in college.
“My wife and I are extremely excited to begin this next chapter of our lives with the MVNU tennis programs,” Bane said. “I cannot wait to get to know the team and walk with each of them as they develop spiritually and athletically.”
Under former head coach Alvin Cheng, the Cougars men’s team finished last season with an overall record of 2-15, and were 0-8 in Crossroads League play. Highlights were winning a 5-4 match vs. Saint Mary’s of Minnesota in March, and beating Capital University 4-3 in September. The women’s squad fared better as they ended the season at 4-14 overall, and 3-5 in Crossroads League contests. Their wins came with a season-opening victory over Bethel University, 6-1, in August 2021, and wins over Goshen College, 7-0; a 5-2 win over University of Saint Francis; and a 7-0 sweep over Capital University, all in September 2021.
This season opens for both teams with a doubleheader vs. Goshen College and Huntington University on Sept. 3 at Ramser Tennis Courts. The teams go on the road for twin-bills Sept. 7 at Grace College, where the squads will also take on University of Saint Francis. Indiana Wesleyan and Marian University come to MVNU on Sept. 10, and the Cougars travel to Spring Arbor to face their hosts and Bethel University on Sept. 13.
The Crossroads League quarterfinals start Sept. 20, with the ITA Midwest Regional Tourney starting Sept. 28.
The Cougars men’s tennis team of eight student-athletes includes seniors Hunter Winey and Ryan Wolfe; juniors Clayton Amburgy, Austin Faucett and Daniel Stimson; and sophomores Andrew Hare, Carter Jones and Ben Kindberg. The Lady Cougars’ eight team members are seniors Hailey Claybrorn and Hannah Fugate; juniors Emily Allison and Emma Harville; and sophomores Audrey Cochran, Lilian Volk, Megan Vollrath and Kiersten Winey.
