MIT Women's Tennis

1999-2000 About the Coaches

The Head Coach: Carol Matsuzaki

Carol Matsuzaki has truly risen through the ranks to assume her current position as head women's tennis coach. She began her tennis career as an undergraduate at MIT, picking up the racket and the game for the first time in a physical education class. Carol was a quick study and steadily improved, making the varsity team where she was the No. 1 singles player her senior year. Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, where she was an All-City basketball player and MVP as well as a scholar-athlete and team captain for her high school team, Carol came to MIT in 1991 majoring in biology and literature. While at the Institute she played JV squash and was a member of the Tennis Club in addition to her varsity tennis status. She captained the tennis team from 1994-96 and was the 1993 NCAA Championships qualifying team's MVP and the NEW 8 Player of the Year in 1995. Upon graduating in 1996, Carol became the asistant coach of the team, a designation which lasted through her appointment as head coach in the Spring of 1998. Carol received her Graduate degree in Sport Psychology from Boston University in 1997.

EDUCATION
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Class of 1995 Bachelor of Science (S.B.) in Biology.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Class of 1996 Bachelor of Science (S.B.) in Literature
Boston University Class of 1997 Master of Education (Ed.M) in Sport Psychology

The Assistant Coaches: Roxann, Lisa, Brett, and Kat

This year the MIT tennis women have the honor of receving the attention of four assistant coaches: Brett, Lisa, Roxann, and Kat, who are generously donating their time to the team.

Roxann Blanchard

Roxann Blanchard just received her Ph.D. from MIT last term, and is now working for Analog. She contributes her experience from playing for the University of Vermont to the tennis team.

Lisa Cuklanz

Lisa Cuklanz earned a Ph.D. in Communication Studies, and now teaches full-time as a Professor of Communications at Boston College. She played junior tennis in New England, and continued to play in college for two years at Duke. During this time, she started her tennis coaching days at a number of tennis camps. She keeps up her tennis today, and makes frequent appearances at her club where she participates in the 4.5 and 5.0 weekend leagues.

Brett Pellock

Brett Pellock began his tennis career as a freshman in high school. He played in numerous junior tennis tournaments throughout high school; his success allowed him to qualify for the Boys' 18s Southeastern Regional Tournament in 1991.

Brett laid off tennis for awhile during his undergraduate years at the University of Georgia (1991-1994), and, instead, joined the football team. Starting off as a walk-on player, Brett played the positions of punter and holder for placekicking. Eventually, he became the starting punter, and earned varsity letters in 1993 and 1994. Off the field, Brett obtained a B.S. degree in 1994, and an M.S. degree in 1995, both in the field of Genetics at the University of Georgia.

Brett continued his education by coming to MIT, and is currently in his fifth year here as a Ph.D. candidate in Biology. He took up tennis again upon his arrival in 1995. On his new position as assistant coach, Brett says: "I'm very excited about being an assistant coach for the M.I.T. women's varsity team. It is a great opportunity for me to both learn and teach. I look forward to a great season." As do the MIT tennis women look forward to a great season with the new coaching staff.

Kat Pick

Kat Pick is a graduate of Wellesley College ('98) with a B.S. in Economics and a minor in Psychology. She was the captain of Wellesley's tennis team for two years and played first singles and doubles during her time there.

Now Kat is working at the Harvard Business School as a Research Associate in Organizational Behavior. She continues to spend a lot of time on the tennis court, however, and is eager to contribute to the MIT women's team this year; even if it means leaving her Wellesley apparel at home for a few months.

The Hitters: Hur and Hiro

Hiro Iwashima, sophomore, and Hur Koser, graduate student, both played for the MIT men's JV team. They are now allowing the MIT tennis women to have the benefit of their tennis skills.

Last Updated: October 1, 1999