Since 2005, the women's tennis team has been improving steadily, claiming a share of the SEC title and breaking into national rankings.
This growing success can be attributed to head coach Tim Gray, with his 20 years of experience.
"One of the crowning moments was beating Georgia when they were ranked No. 1 in the country in 2007," Gray said. "Since we were ranked 41 that year, it is thought to be the largest margin we've had to beat the number one team."
In four years at Auburn, he has led the women's team to many victories, but also focused on the individual players and their needs.
"He's really specific and works just as hard helping us to play as the effort we put in to playing," said Heather Bybee, tennis player and senior in industrial design. "He puts his heart and soul in to helping us develop as players."
The key to motivation is finding out what motivates each player individually, Gray said.
"Every kid is different," Gray said, "So something that motivates one kid may not be motivation to the next kid."
At this level, players must be self-motivated, he said.
"He really cares about everything we (players) do on a daily basis," said Whitney Chappell, senior player in management information systems. "He asks us to do things only within our power and helps us to achieve our goals."
Gray gets to know each player on a personal level and helps to improve her individual game.
"Overall, he is very upbeat and positive," Bybee said. "He is organized and always has a plan for us to follow at practice.
"He's very specific in what he wants to accomplish and how he wants to accomplish those goals."
Chappell said Gray pushes her beyond her comfort zone to become a leader both on and off the court.
"He leads people not just in good times, but also when times are rough," she said. "He shows us that the right thing to do is not always the easy thing to do."
Gray grew up in Greeneville, S.C., and said he spent time at the tennis courts and gym on Furman's campus.
"I had dreams of playing on tour and making millions of dollars," he said, "but that kind of grew in to this (coaching) profession."
Gray began playing in 8th grade. He played many other sports, but grew to love tennis in high school.
"People kept telling me I had a knack for teaching and coaching the game," Gray said.
Although he takes his job seriously, Gray likes to relax and have fun, Chappell and Bybee said.
"He is very passionate about his job and helping us do the best we possibly can," Bybee said. "He sets high expectations for us, but also has a fun side and rewards us if we work hard and have a positive attitude."
Chappell, who met Gray for the first time as a freshman agrees.
"We spend a lot of time with him traveling," Chappell said. "He's very laid back with a great sense of humor. He is a really intelligent man who thinks things through."
Gray said he gets pushed and pulled in many directions with his job and family life.
"Balancing can be tough," Gray said, "but if you love what you do, it makes it easier to balance your time."
Having his wife as his assistant coach makes life easier, too, he said.
When he has free time, Gray enjoys traveling with his wife, Christine Franek Gray. He also enjoys spending time with his two grown sons and playing with his dog Sampson, he said.
His players appreciate the time he takes to work with them individually on a daily basis.
"One of the great things about Coach Gray is that he doesn't just take people, work with them and then let them go after four years," Bybee said.
"He takes time to develop the players individually, so whatever level you come in at, you are going to leave a hundred times better."
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