After reaching eight combined Summit League Tournaments in his five seasons, men’s and women’s tennis coach Michael Engdahl announced Monday that he is leaving this post to pursue other opportunities in tennis.
“Michael has made a big impact on South Dakota State tennis. His hard work and dedication to SDSU has put the Jackrabbit tennis program on the map and going in the right direction,” SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell said. “What he has done here is win. Both teams have gone to multiple Summit League Tournaments and his players have rewritten the record books a few times. We wish him all the best.”
The Engdahl era began in 2011-12 when he guided the men’s team to its first of four consecutive Summit League Championship berths. On the women’s side, the winning came a year later with their first of four tournament appearances, including back-to-back finals the last two years.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for the opportunity I have had over the last five years. They will be five years I will never forget, and I have nothing but positive memories during my time at SDSU,” Engdahl said. “The support staff from Justin Sell on down have been amazing to work with and have trusted me to coach the type of program I always wanted to coach. I also couldn’t have asked for better players to be around and work with every day. Every player to wear the Jackrabbit tennis uniform has impacted my life for the better. I will be their biggest fans in tennis and beyond. The future is bright at SDSU and I cannot wait to watch the tennis program continue to grow and improve.”
Under Engdahl, both Jackrabbit teams have finished in the top four in four of his five seasons and won a combined 34 league matches. He has also guided both teams to a combined seven winning seasons. Both teams have set school records for most dual wins in a season and Summit League wins in a season.
A two-time Summit League Coach of the Year, Engdahl coached 14 Jackrabbits to All-Summit League honors and seven to All-Summit League Academic honors.
