Women's Tennis | 9/12/2024 12:56:00 PM
MIAMI SHORES, Fla.— Yeffrens Lopez (formerly Paiva) has been promoted to associate head coach for the Barry University women's tennis team. Lopez has served a part of the multi-national champion Bucs since 2016 as a volunteer assistant.
"It feels great to be trusted to lead the way for such an established program here at Barry," Lopez said. "I am very thankful to head coach (Avi) Kigel and the administration for allowing me to take on this new role. I look forward to building upon the success we already have and continue to make history."
Lopez has been a part of six national championship runs, a runner-up finish, eight straight national tournament appearances, six Sunshine State Conference (SSC) tournament titles, and five SSC regular season crowns. He has also helped coach 11 ITA All-Americans and 17 All-SSC Conference members in both doubles and singles.
"I'm super excited to add an individual with the knowledge and character Yeffrens possesses," stated Kigel, Barry's Director of Tennis. "He has been with us as the volunteer coach for the past seven years and will continue to have a positive impact on Barry tennis."
Paiva works as a private coach in Davie, Fla. He also works at Tennis Plaza in Aventura. He has coached the after school program and adult clinics at Tennis Canas Academy in Aventura from 2013-14. He taught individual and group lessons in Broward County from 2012-13. In 2011, Paiva worked as an assistant coach, offering group lessons at Rudy Tennis Academy in Miramar, Fla. In 2010-11, he was an assistant coach to kids of beginner, middle and competition levels at Patricio Apey's Tennis Academy in Miami. From 2006-10, he was the head coach and tennis director at Res Cayo de Agua in Lecheria, Venezuela.
Paiva played in over 20 international tournaments. He was ranked No. 23 in Venezuela, while playing in Open competitions from 1993-2003. As a junior player, Paiva played in ITF and ATP tournaments in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Dominican Republic, Panama and United States. He was ranked No. 2 in Bolivar State, No. 5 in Oriental Conference and No. 8 nationally in Venezuela from 1988-92.
Lopez will step into a full-time role for the first time with the Buccaneers and looks to continue to build upon the success already developed. Barry women's tennis will have four fall competitions, two of which will be hosted at home. The other two is the ITA Regionals in Lakeland, September 28 through 30. In between Barry Invitationals, the ITA Cup will be happening in October in Rome, Ga.
