Hometown: Sunnyside, Wash.
Alma Mater: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lisa Hart was officially named Concordia Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach in August of 2023. Hart previously served as Associate Head Women’s Tennis Coach at her alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The 2024-25 season marked Hart's second at the helm of the Bulldogs.
In short order, Hart led Concordia to standard-setting seasons. The 2024-25 Bulldog women made history by winning the program's first GPAC tournament title and by qualifying for the national tournament for the first time. Both of Hart's '24-25 teams either surpassed or equaled program records for wins in a season as the women went 17-5 overall and the men went 14-8 overall. Both squads reached the GPAC tournament final. Additionally, Nick Velders was named a 2025 NAIA Second Team All-American, giving the program an All-American for the first time since 2000.
Following her successful run as a student-athlete for the Cornhuskers, Hart transitioned smoothly into the coaching profession. Her journey has included tenures as Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach at Nebraska (1998-2000), Head Women’s Tennis Coach at Virginia Tech (2000-2003), Head Women’s Tennis Coach at Washington State University (2003-2021) and Associate Head Women’s Tennis Coach at Nebraska (2021-23). Originally from Sunnyside, Wash., Hart owns the title of winningest coach in Washington State women’s tennis history with the 246 victories she accumulated over 18 seasons. Over that stretch, Hart led the Cougars to NCAA Championship appearances in 2008, 2012 and 2019 and led the program to regional and national rankings each year. She coached nine players to NCAA Individual Championships appearances.
Named Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2012, Hart has tutored teams that have consistently achieved high marks in the classroom. Hart’s Cougar student-athletes earned a combined 40 Pac-12 All-Academic and 35 ITA All-Academic awards and achieved ITA All-Academic Team awards each season from 2007 through 2020. In addition, Hart coached seven athletes who were named ITA Cissie Leary Northwest Region Sportsmanship Award winners, six ITA Regional Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winners and an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award winner. Hart herself was honored as United States Professional Tennis Association Pacific Northwest College Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2020 and was recognized with numerous awards for community service.
Hart’s first head coaching job came in Blacksburg, Va., at Virgina Tech. While in that role, Hart led the Hokies to a trio of third-place finishes in the Big East Conference. Virginia Tech achieved a national ranking in 2003 and the women’s tennis team posted the best cumulative GPA of any program in the athletic department in 2001. In her second stint at Nebraska, Hart helped the Huskers garner national rankings in 2022 and 2023 and aided in the top doubles team reaching the NCAA Championships and ranking No. 34 nationally. The Huskers also were recognized with ITA All-Academic Team Awards and had individual winners of the Arthur Ashe Leadership and Cissie Leary Sportsmanship awards. Throughout her coaching career, Hart has been active within national tennis coaching committees.
Hart starred on the court during her own collegiate career, earning two first team all-conference accolades (three total all-conference awards), a Big 12 conference championship (No. 2 singles) and Big Eight Conference Freshman/Newcomer awards. She was also lauded as an academic all-conference honoree three times and was the recipient of the ITA Regional Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship and Leadership Award and the ITA Regional Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award. She also served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Board for three years.
Hart earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Nebraska and also holds a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Physical Education and Sports Studies from Nebraska. Hart has a daughter, Mary Beth, and son, Paul.
Bulldogs Under Coach Hart
2023-24: MEN - 8-13 Overall, 2-4 GPAC | WOMEN - 11-8 Overall, 5-2 GPAC
2024-25: MEN - 14-8 Overall, 4-2 GPAC | WOMEN - 17-5 Overall, 4-2 GPAC; GPAC Tournament Champs, NAIA National Qualifier
Total: MEN - 22-21 Overall, 6-6 GPAC | WOMEN - 28-13 Overall, 9-4 GPAC (2 seasons)
Hometown: Cody, Wyo.
Alma Mater: Concordia University, Nebraska
A 2025 graduate, Tessa Blough has transitioned from a student-athlete to an assistant coach for Head Coach Lisa Hart’s program.
An inspirational figure, Blough earned lofty recognition in 2024 as a National Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner. A year later, Blough was honored by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Strength and Conditioning All-American. In addition, Blough earned four total All-GPAC, was a three-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete and was recognized by College Sports Communicators as a 2024-25 Academic All-District honoree.
A native of Cody, Wyo., Blough earned her degrees from Concordia in Behavioral Science, Sociology and Psychology. She is the daughter of Jay and Cindy Blough. Tessa has an older brother Trey and older sister Taylor.