Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tennis Adds Casey Smith as Assistant Coach
8/10/2026 10:23:00 AM | Tennis
Michigan native set to bring playing and coaching experience to the program
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Jeff Westmeyer, head coach of the Eastern Michigan University tennis team, has added Casey Smith to his coaching staff, Aug. 10. The former two-time all-conference selection has joined the program ahead of the start of the 2026-27 academic year.
"I remember coaching against Casey five years ago when she was a player at Lewis," Westmeyer said. "I was so impressed by her heart and fight on the court, as well as her talent, and remember telling myself I really missed out on not finding a way to have her on my team. So, when there was an opportunity to have her join our staff as a coach, I was ecstatic. Talking to Casey before she joined us, it was clear she had a real desire to be a great coach. I'm delighted she is going to be a part of our team."
Smith, who hails from Portage, Mich., most recently served as the assistant professional at the Racquet Club of Ann Arbor before joining the Eagles' staff.
"I am very excited to be joining the coaching staff at Eastern Michigan and to contribute to this program," Smith said. "I am grateful for this opportunity and am looking forward to stepping onto the court with the players and helping them grow this season as we compete to bring home a Mid-American Conference championship."
Smith is set for her second season in the collegiate coaching ranks after spending the 2025-26 campaign as a graduate assistant coach at Henderson State University, an NCAA Division II school in Arkadelphia, Ark. During her time with the Reddies, she helped guide the team to the finals of the Great American Conference Tournament where the team's runner-up finish marked only the second finals appearance in program history. Previously, the team reached the finals of the 2007 Gulf South Conference Tournament.
She was instrumental in coaching a team that dropped the doubles point just three times during the season, including an undefeated run in doubles points against league foes. Individually, she worked with Emilia Nowak, who earned GAC Newcomer of the Year and All-GAC First Team honors while her doubles partner, Jordan Parker, was an All-GAC Second Team selection. Together, the duo capped the year ranked No. 34 in the final ITA rankings.
During her playing days, Smith attended Lewis University from 2020-24, where she competed on the women's tennis team for four years and led the team for three years as captain. At Lewis, she achieved multiple national rankings as a team and in doubles while picking up two GLVC Player of the Week recognitions. Smith also earned two GLVC All-Conference awards in 2023 (1) and 2024 (1) while earning three sportsmanship recognitions in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Smith graduated from Lewis with a B.S. in Applied Physics and a minor in Environmental Science. While earning her degree, she earned multiple awards for undergraduate research work in air quality monitoring and was recognized with the senior award for the physics department.
Casey Smith File
Full Name: Casey Elisabeth Smith
Hometown: Portage, Mich.
High School: Portage Central
College: Lewis University • Applied Physics, 2024
Coaching Experience
Year: Organization • Position • Notes
2026-pre: Eastern Michigan University • Assistant Coach
2025-26: Henderson State University • Graduate Assistant Coach
2025-26: Racquet Club of Ann Arbor • Assistant Pro
2024-25: Liberty Athletic Club • Assistant Tennis Instructor
Follow Us
For all things EMU Tennis, be sure to check out the team's social media accounts, including EMUEaglesTennis on Twitter and EMU_Tennis on Instagram.
"I remember coaching against Casey five years ago when she was a player at Lewis," Westmeyer said. "I was so impressed by her heart and fight on the court, as well as her talent, and remember telling myself I really missed out on not finding a way to have her on my team. So, when there was an opportunity to have her join our staff as a coach, I was ecstatic. Talking to Casey before she joined us, it was clear she had a real desire to be a great coach. I'm delighted she is going to be a part of our team."
Smith, who hails from Portage, Mich., most recently served as the assistant professional at the Racquet Club of Ann Arbor before joining the Eagles' staff.
"I am very excited to be joining the coaching staff at Eastern Michigan and to contribute to this program," Smith said. "I am grateful for this opportunity and am looking forward to stepping onto the court with the players and helping them grow this season as we compete to bring home a Mid-American Conference championship."
Smith is set for her second season in the collegiate coaching ranks after spending the 2025-26 campaign as a graduate assistant coach at Henderson State University, an NCAA Division II school in Arkadelphia, Ark. During her time with the Reddies, she helped guide the team to the finals of the Great American Conference Tournament where the team's runner-up finish marked only the second finals appearance in program history. Previously, the team reached the finals of the 2007 Gulf South Conference Tournament.
She was instrumental in coaching a team that dropped the doubles point just three times during the season, including an undefeated run in doubles points against league foes. Individually, she worked with Emilia Nowak, who earned GAC Newcomer of the Year and All-GAC First Team honors while her doubles partner, Jordan Parker, was an All-GAC Second Team selection. Together, the duo capped the year ranked No. 34 in the final ITA rankings.
During her playing days, Smith attended Lewis University from 2020-24, where she competed on the women's tennis team for four years and led the team for three years as captain. At Lewis, she achieved multiple national rankings as a team and in doubles while picking up two GLVC Player of the Week recognitions. Smith also earned two GLVC All-Conference awards in 2023 (1) and 2024 (1) while earning three sportsmanship recognitions in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Smith graduated from Lewis with a B.S. in Applied Physics and a minor in Environmental Science. While earning her degree, she earned multiple awards for undergraduate research work in air quality monitoring and was recognized with the senior award for the physics department.
Casey Smith File
Full Name: Casey Elisabeth Smith
Hometown: Portage, Mich.
High School: Portage Central
College: Lewis University • Applied Physics, 2024
Coaching Experience
Year: Organization • Position • Notes
2026-pre: Eastern Michigan University • Assistant Coach
2025-26: Henderson State University • Graduate Assistant Coach
2025-26: Racquet Club of Ann Arbor • Assistant Pro
2024-25: Liberty Athletic Club • Assistant Tennis Instructor
Follow Us
For all things EMU Tennis, be sure to check out the team's social media accounts, including EMUEaglesTennis on Twitter and EMU_Tennis on Instagram.
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