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Former Ute player Megan Dorny is in her second season as the women’s tennis head coach at her alma mater. After two seasons as an assistant under long-time head coach John Tsumas, Dorny took over the Utah women’s tennis program in 2002-03.
As a player for Utah, the former Megan Payne finished her career with a No. 55 ranking in singles. She was ranked No. 1 in the ITA Central Region for university players. During the 1998-99 season, Dorny was ranked No. 81 in the nation and No. 5 in the region. As a freshman, she finished the season with a national doubles ranking of No. 42. In the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons, she was named an Academic All-American. As a junior player, Dorny was ranked as high as No. 30 nationally in singles and No. 6 in doubles.
Dorny had some very impressive wins during her career, including an upset victory in singles over No. 2 seed Janet Walker of Texas at the 2000 NCAA Championships. As a senior, Dorny defeated six players ranked in top 100, including two in the top 12. During her junior year, she defeated four Top 100 players while also defeating 1997 NCAA singles runner up M.C. White from No. 1 ranked Florida. Dorny was also named onference player of the week four times during her career. Following her collegiate career, she played professionally on the USTA circuit and in Europe.
The St. George, Utah, native had prior coaching experience at the SLST Club and the Snowbird Canyon Racquet Club. She began her coaching tenure with the Utes as a volunteer assistant in 2000-01.
Dorny, 25, her husband C.J., and their daughter Jane reside in Salt Lake City. In her spare time, she enjoys running, reading and hiking. She received a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science in 2000 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in exercise psychology at the U.
