West Liberty University Women's Tennis

Gallagher begins her 12 th season as head coach of a West Liberty University womens tennis program that has become a familiar presence near the top of the Mountain East Conference and NCAA Division II Atlantic Region rankings.     Gallaghers Lady Hilltoppers have earned eight NCAA Division II Tournament bids, including five in the last six years, and have collected a pair of West Virginia Conference championships (2004 and 2006) during the veteran coachs time at the helm.     The 2004 WVIAC Coach of the Year, Gallaghers Hilltoppers also posted back-to-bac runner-up finishes in the WVIAC during the 2011 and 2012 seasons and were MEC runners-up in 2014.     An All-WVIAC standout on the legendary West Liberty teams of the late 1990s, Gallagher won a WVIAC singles championship in 1998 and teamed with West Liberty Hall of Famer Tara Elkin to claim back-to-back WVIAC doubles titles in 1998 and 1999.     The Hilltopper womens tennis team was a staggering 39-1 in West Virginia Conference matches during Gallaghers four varsity seasons. Along with her accomplishments on the court, Gallagher also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.     The Parkersburg, W.Va. native came to the hilltop after an all-state career at Parkersburg (W.Va.) Catholic High School.     A key cog in the West Liberty athletic department, the versatile Gallagher serves as Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Administration in addition to her head coaching duties. She currently resides in West Liberty.  

Travis Closser enter his first season as the new head coach of the Hilltoppers’ women’s tennis program. Closser, who assisted men’s head coach Ronnie Hulewicz while he oversaw both programs last season, will now take the reins of the women’s team as Hulewicz continues to lead the men’s squad. “I have been involved in tennis since high school and continued playing throughout the years,” Closser said. “I have experience working with students and athletes for 29 years, which has helped me build a strong rapport with my team. I believe in effective communication and fostering a positive relationship with my players to ensure their success on and off the court.” Closser, a math instructor at West Liberty since 2022, has deep ties to the sport. He began playing as a freshman at McGuffey High School in Claysville, Pa., before competing collegiately at Waynesburg University. A 1991 graduate with degrees in mathematics, computer science, and secondary education certification, he spent 26 years teaching math and computer science at Burgettstown High School. Looking ahead to his first season at the helm, Closser is eager to see the program continue its growth. “I am excited about the upcoming season and have recruited talented players to strengthen the team,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing the team compete in tournaments and translate their practice efforts into match performance. Real match play experience is crucial for their development and readiness for the spring season.” With a challenging slate of fall tournaments ahead, Closser is confident his players will benefit from the opportunities. “I am enthusiastic about the potential of the team and eager to see their progress throughout the season,” Closser added. “I have scheduled matches with other universities to provide valuable competitive opportunities for my players. I believe in their abilities and am committed to supporting their growth and success in the sport.”