UMO tennis coach resigns
MOUNT OLIVE – University of Mount Olive officials have announced that Carlos Lora has resigned as head men’s and women’s tennis coach following a two-year stint with the Trojans. Lora has accepted the position of head men’s and women’s tennis coach at Longwood, which is a NCAA Division I program in the Big South Conference.
Lora registered double-digit wins each year with both programs while scheduling a competitive fall and spring slate. He has coached a combined 10 all-conference honorees during his tenure and was named the 2022 Conference Carolinas Women’s Tennis Coach of the Year. Additionally, Lora led the Trojans to three league championship matches, including claiming two conference titles on the women’s side. Off the court, Mount Olive featured five College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recipients and produced the highest 2023 spring grade-point-average on both the men’s and women’s side.
“I would like to thank Carlos for his time and dedication to both programs and delivering a pair of championship caliber teams during his time at Mount Olive,” said Director of Athletics Joey Higginbotham. “Carlos has displayed an incredible work ethic and commitment to our student-athletes, which has allowed him to be successful in his time as head coach. I look forward to watching him in his new coaching endeavor at the Division I level and wish him the best.”
As head coach at UMO, Lora established a 31-15 overall mark with the women’s program while posting a 16-2 record in league play. He led the team to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament after winning consecutive Conference Carolinas Championships. This season the women’s tennis team finished the year ranked No. 43 in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association Top 50 poll. On the men’s side, Lora held a 26-16 record behind a 12-6 mark in conference action. He directed the program to a pair of deep runs in the league tournament, including the 2022 title match.
“I would like to thank our director of athletics, Joey Higginbotham, our university president, Dr. H. Edward Croom and all of the UMO staff for the countless support that they have provided me and both tennis programs throughout my time at Mount Olive,” said Lora. “I am taking with me countless great memories of great people that have been a part of this great community and look forward to following the continued success of both tennis programs under new leadership.”
Lora returns to the state of Virginia after playing collegiately at Averett University and earning a bachelor’s degree in athletic training. He also started his college coaching career at Averett as an assistant coach for the Cougars and served in that role for three years.
A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
— From University of Mount Olive Athletics
