Upper Iowa University and Peacock Athletics Director David Miller have selected Léo Millet as the new head women's tennis coach. Millet has spent the last four years with the Peacock women's tennis team as a volunteer coach culminating in his graduation from Upper Iowa last May. Millet steps into the position that opened when Joey J. Barnes became the Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at South Dakota State University, a NCAA Division I institution in Brookings, S.D.

"Léo is a great fit for the program," said Miller. "He provides us with the ability to continue the success that he helped Coach Barnes initiate four years ago. He has been involved in all aspects of the program over his four years with the Peacocks from budgeting and scheduling to practices and match management. I look forward to seeing Leo develop as a head coach with this tennis program filled with experienced players."

Millet, who founded and led the Upper Iowa tennis club in addition to his duties with the women's team, completed his Bachelor's degree in business last spring with an emphasis in business management and a coaching endorsement. While growing up in Aix-En-Provence in the south of France, Millet played both tennis and football and was part of the champion team at the first National State Football Tournament ever organized in France.

"I am really excited and honored to have the chance to lead this wonderful team," said Millet. "I am thankful to Athletic Director David Miller for giving me this opportunity. Being around this team as a volunteer assistant coach since 2013 has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to leading them through this upcoming season. We did graduate our number one player in Saki, but are bringing back a lot of experience and talent which will help them continue their success. The key to our success is hard work and having the right mentality. I know that all the ladies on the team have those qualities. I am really looking forward to help my team find success academically and athletically and ensure that they represent the University and community of Fayette proudly. I also look forward to keep adding to the success brought by Coach Barnes and help the tennis program grow for the years to come."

The Peacock tennis team reached the NSIC/US Bank Women's Tennis Championship match last spring for the second straight year finishing as the runner up in the both the regular season and conference tournament. UIU closed out the 2016 campaign with a 13-9 record including a 10-1 NSIC mark. UIU will return two of their three All-NSIC performers from a year ago in the form of Isabella Sella (2nd Team Doubles/Singles) and Kelly Jachymowski (HM Singles). The lone loss from last year's squad is Saki Kawabata, who earned All-NSIC honors in all three years with the program.