Pacifica Christian Orange County hires Jill Casserly as founding girls’ tennis coach

Pacifica Christian Orange County High School announced in April that it was adding a girls’ tennis program.

Two months later, the Tritons have found the coach to initiate that program.

Jill Casserly has been hired as the first girls’ tennis coach in program history, Pacifica Christian Athletic Director Brandon Gonzalez said.

Casserly was previously an assistant tennis coach at Newport Harbor, her alma mater, from 2012 to 2014.

“They’re just all about the kids [at Pacifica Christian],” Casserly said. “They want the kids to work together and bond as a team, build character and also be competitive and enjoy the sport. It’s cool to be a part of that. And you know me, I love tennis. It’s great to combine that.”

During her playing days, she helped the Sailors win the Sunset League title and advance to the CIF Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinals during her senior year of 2005-06. She then went on to play at Wheaton College in Illinois, and helped Wheaton win three College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) titles in four years.

Casserly, 32, who is currently is a kindergarten teacher in the Capistrano Unified School District, will be a walk-on coach.

“We wanted Jill from the beginning,” Gonzalez said. “Not only does she understand the landscape of tennis in Orange County and has a wealth of knowledge in playing and coaching, she understands the importance of building relationships with these girls and building a program that will set the tone for others to follow.”

Pacifica Christian will be entering its fifth year at the varsity level this fall, and now offers 21 programs across 11 different sports.

Newport Beach has traditionally been strong in girls’ tennis with programs like Corona del Mar, Sage Hill and Newport Harbor. Corona del Mar won last year’s CIF Southern Section Division 1 title, its second CIF crown in three years.

Gonzalez said a venue for home matches for girls’ tennis is to be determined, but Pacifica Christian will likely use the public tennis courts near Superior Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway for practices.

Casserly said she is excited to begin, and Newport Harbor coach Kristen Becwar is happy for her friend.

“Jill possesses a strong passion for the game of tennis, as well as a deep care for the student-athletes she coaches,” Becwar said. “One of her greatest strengths is the way in which she is able to teach the ins and outs of the game, and at the same time, also finds ways to combine life lessons that all of her student-athletes can grow from. Jill’s dedication to her faith, along with her dedication to bringing out the best in her players, will be a wonderful addition for Pacifica Christian athletics.”

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