The Suffolk University Athletic Department has announced two changes to their coaching staffs for 2009-2010. Steve Counihan will return as Head Coach for both Women's and Men's Tennis in 2009-2010. Counihan returns  after leading Women's Tennis to a 2007 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship. Heather Cox has been named head coach for Suffolk University's Volleyball team, as announced by Director of Athletics James Nelson on Wednesday. Cox served as an assistant coach for the Rams the previous two seasons.

James Nelson, Director of Athletics, announced the news on Counihan's hiring earlier on Wednesday. "I am most pleased in welcoming Steve Counihan's return as Head Women's and Men's Varsity Tennis Coach at our University.  Coach Counihan has demonstrated his remarkable on court skills in previously leading our women's team in the Fall of 2007 to an undefeated regular season, a GNAC Conference Title and Invitation to the NCAA post season tournament.  As a year round tennis teaching professional, his experience, dedication and personality will be looked forward to in continuing the success of our tennis programs into the future. "

Suffolk Men's Tennis took home the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship in 2009. With GNAC Rookie of the Year Christopher Staley (London, England) returning, the Rams will look to defend their title in the spring of 2010. Women's Tennis will have their entire team back for the fall 2009 season, including GNAC Player of the Year Kaitlynn Cates (Middlebury, CT) and Rookie of the Year Lauren Cameron (Kingston, Jamaica). Both teams play their home contests at Buckingham, Browne & Nichols in Cambridge, MA.

A resident of Reading, Mass., Counihan, previously served as Head Coach for both the men and women from 2004-2008. Counihan guided the Women's team to a perfect 14-0 campaign in the fall of 2007, earning Suffolk's first ever NCAA appearance in Tennis.

A former tennis and ice hockey standout at Bowdoin College, Counihan was formerly the boys' tennis coach at Buckingham, Browne & Nicohols, which also serves as the home for Suffolk tennis. Steve and his wife, Maureen, have two sons, Austin and Adam.

Heather is a 2007 graduate of Suffolk where she played volleyball for four seasons with the Rams. A starter in all four seasons, Heather spent two seasons as a libero and two as a setter. Heather was named a team Captain her senior year and voted to the GNAC All-Star team in 2007. In 2006, as a junior she set the conference record for assists. Heather also served as the President of the Suffolk University Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) her junior and senior seasons.

Suffolk University Athletic Director James Nelson spoke highly of what Cox brings with her to the Rams' program. "I am most pleased in the acceptance by Heather Cox as Suffolk University's Head Women's Volleyball Coach. Heather provides to our student athletes an energetic commitment to both the athletic and academic aspects in representing her alma mater on and off the court that assuredly will translate to a successful program on our campus and beyond."

Cox takes over for a team that finished the 2008 season, 6-23 (3-9 GNAC). Suffolk will begin the 2009 season in September. The Rams play their home matches at the Regan Gymnasium.