GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman's Grant Esposito has been named the 2025 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Carolina Region Division I Women's Tennis Assistant Coach of the Year, as announced Wednesday by the organization.

A native of Union City, Ohio, Esposito is in his second season as an assistant coach at Furman.

During the 2025 season, Furman posted a 21-4 overall record and was a perfect 7-0 against SoCon opponents.  After winning the regular season championship, the Paladins claimed the Southern Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament by capturing their 22nd SoCon tournament title.  Furman, which finished the season ranked 46th nationally and ninth among mid-major programs, recorded wins over several ranked opponents this spring, including then 22nd-ranked Alabama, 34th-ranked Yale, and No. 42 Rice.  

Six Paladins were honored as members of the 2025 All-Southern Conference team.  Senior Sara Snyder was selected to the All-SoCon first team for singles, while senior Ellie Schulson and sophomore Macy Hitchcock were named to the second team for singles.  In doubles, Furman captured second team citations at flights two and three, with senior Jess Dawson and Hitchcock filling the flight two slot and seniors Alexa Griffith and Grace Thomas earning honors at flight three.

"Grant has a wonderful personality and passion for helping our student-athletes," said Furman head coach Michelle Dasso.  "I am thrilled that he is being honored with this prestigious award and so grateful for how he represents our Furman women's tennis program."