July 16, 2010

Macpherson, Benic Join Tennis Staff

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- Dave Macpherson, a former ATP professional tennis player and coach of the world's most decorated doubles team, and Shannon Benic, a former starter at Division I Pittsburgh, have joined the Washington College men's and women's tennis coaching staff for the 2010-11 academic year. Macpherson has been named the senior assistant coach of the programs, while Benic has been tabbed as an assistant coach.

The Australian-born Macpherson was primarily a doubles specialist during his pro career.  In 1992, he and partner Steve DeVries won six doubles titles, finished eighth in the year-end team rankings, and qualified for the ATP Tour Wold Doubles Championships.  During his career, Macpherson captured a total of 16 doubles titles on the ATP tour before retiring from the circuit at the end of the 2002 season.  Macpherson also played regularly in World Team Tennis for Sacramento and Kansas City.

Following his retirement from the ATP tour, Macpherson coached junior players in Florida in 2003 and 2004. He has coached Bob and Mike Bryan - holders of a host of ATP doubles records - since 2005.

Benic began her collegiate playing career by earning All-Ohio Athletic Conference honorable mention at Division III John Carroll as the Blue Streaks won the OAC Championship. Benic posted an 18-2 singles record and 18-1 doubles record as a freshman at John Carroll.

Benic then transferred to Pittsburgh, where she played as a reserve her sophomore season. She stepped into the singles line-up for the Panthers as a junior.  As a senior, Benic played No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles for Pitt.

A native of Pittsburgh, Benic graduated from Pitt with a degree in Communications in 2010.