GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - The Green Bay women's tennis team has a new leader as Sara Schubring has been hired as the fourth head coach in the program's 36-year history, Green Bay Athletics announced on Wednesday. Schubring is a USPTA certified tennis professional at Western Racquet and Fitness and brings 16 years of coaching and instructing experience to the Phoenix.

"I'm excited to embrace the challenge of creating a team culture at Green Bay that promotes consistent and successful competitive performances," Schubring said. "The limitless opportunities to be amazed fuel my passion for teaching, playing and promoting the sport of tennis. Focusing on what can be done now will lay the foundation for future program growth."

Schubring has worked at Western Racquet and Fitness in Green Bay since 1997, where she instructs a variety of levels and ages in group and private lessons. She is also an instructor at Green Bay Country Club and has served as the coordinator of the Green Bay Area Junior Tennis Team for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) (2005-08).

Over the years, Schubring has gained valuable coaching experience at both the collegiate and high school levels. She served as the men's and women's head tennis coach at St. Norbert College from 1998-00, where she guided the men's team to a conference championship playoffs appearance.

Schubring began her coaching career while still in college at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She guided the La Crosse Logan High School boys' varsity squad during the 1995-96 season, while also coaching as an assistant on the La Crosse Central High School girls' staff that year. Most recently, Schubring led the Ashwaubenon High School girls' varsity team from 2002-04, winning a conference championship in the 2002 campaign.

In college, Schubring was a standout for the UW-La Crosse women's tennis squad, serving as team captain for the Eagles while playing No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles. She received her bachelor's degree in Mathematics from UW-L in 1996 before earning her master's in Exercise and Sports Science-Human Performance from the same institution in 1998.

Schubring remains competitive in the sport by competing on and managing local USTA adult and junior league teams.

The Green Bay women's tennis team recently opened its fall schedule, competing at the River Forest Invitational last weekend. The Phoenix is back in action this Friday at the three-day Northern Iowa Invite in Waterloo, Iowa.