Sports

Geneva graduate Murphy glad to lead Edinboro's tennis teams

By Michael Greco, Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio The Tribune Content Agency

May 6, 2026 9:34 AM

Louis Murphy Jr's college tennis playing career was cut short in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Six years later, the Geneva graduate is leading his alma mater in the sport.

Murphy has been the Scots' men's and women's head coach since the end of January.

"Before I even had the opportunity to meet many of the players, we were on a bus heading to our first scrimmage against Cleveland State University," he said.

Murphy, who arrived at Edinboro after leading the Penn State Behrend men's and women's team, has settled in with his new role.

"We front-loaded our schedules with the toughest teams in the region and surrounding regions, fighting neck-and-neck with every team we've gone against so far," he said.

There have been challenges with both teams.

The women's squad was down to four players recently.

A minimum of four players is needed to have a match and six total to not give up any free points.

A record-setting swimmer at Edinboro - Jefferson graduate Izzy Hanek - stepped up to fill the team's fifth spot.

"She played tennis for my dad, Lou Murphy, long-time Jefferson coach and an Edinboro alum on the team that won their then-equivalent of nationals," the younger Murphy said.

The Scots defeated Seton Hill 5-2, and clinched a postseason Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament position - their first since the 2016-17 season.

Edinboro's men's team has also faced adversity, as one of the top three players transferred the semester before and another was lost due to a medical injury.

The Scots upset No. 2 Chestnut Hill in the PSAC semifinals.

Edinboro fell to Jefferson University 4-3 in the championship match.

The Scots men's team have battled all season, and posted a win over West Virginia Wesleyan, which was ranked 36th at the time, earlier in the campaign.

With wins over nationally-ranked opponents this season and defeating ranked Chestnut Hill in the conference tournament, Edinboro may still receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Scots have won the PSAC from 2021-25, and finished second this season.