ARKADELPHIA – Ouachita Baptist University alumna Shelly Davilus has been selected as the new head coach for the women's tennis program.

Davilus lettered four seasons for the Tigers from 2020-2024 and most recently served as a graduate assistant coach at neighboring Henderson State University.

"We are excited to have Coach Davilus back at Ouachita," said Director of Athletics David Sharp. "She was a hard-working and high-character student-athlete during her playing career, and those traits have transferred into her coaching career. She is a rising star, and she will be a great leader for our program."

"I'm so grateful for my return to Ouachita as head coach," said Davilus. "This place feels like home, and I can't wait to welcome our players, old and new, into a program built on hard work, respect, and family. I'm so excited to keep the culture that has already been created and pave my own path through this journey."

Davilus recently completed a fellowship with the United States Tennis Association, which was a 12-week immersive program to equip select coaches with foundational leadership skills. Through the fellowship, she earned a USTA Level 2 certification.

During her senior season at Ouachita, Davilus was nominated and selected for the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum.

After graduating from Ouachita in May of 2024 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, Davilus became a tennis pro at the John Newcombe Country Club in New Braunfels, Texas, where she worked through January of 2025 before joining the staff at HSU.

In addition to her USTA Level 1 and Level 2 certifications, Davilus is also certified in SafePlay. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in business administration from Henderson State. She is originally from San Antonio, Texas, where she was a first team all-district tennis performer at Samuel Clemens High School.