Coaches

Horace Choy

Head Coach

Horace Choy has completed 14 seasons as head coach of the New York University women’s tennis team. His teams have produced 12 winning seasons, including nine of the last 10 years, and have accumulated an overall 114-80 match record.

Last season, NYU tied for its best-ever finish, fourth place, at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship (NYU also placed fourth in 2003). The Violets reached double-digit victories (10-7) for the first time in five years (the 2001-02 squad went 12-5), and NYU finished the season ranked #13 in the northeast region.

There were many highlights to the campaign, including a third-place finish (of 16 teams) at the New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association (NYSWCAA) Championships. Senior Katie Lee won four matches and captured the #5 singles title. Juniors Holly Smith and Meggie Smith (no relation) earned First Team All-UAA honors at #2 doubles, while Meggie Smith was named Second Team at #3 singles.

The ‘06-07 season also included victories over regionally ranked (northeast) opponents Skidmore College (#15), Brandeis University (#19), SUNY-New Paltz (#26), and Simmons College (#26). From March 3-April 1, Choy led the Violets to six victories in seven matches, including wins over the #9- and #10-ranked teams in the Atlantic South Region, Washington College and Salisbury University, respectively.

Choy’s Violets also fared successfully in their classrooms, as eight team members earned UAA All-Academic honors. Sophomore Stephanie Tu was recognized as an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar, while seniors Lee, Bianca Nicoletti and Erika Olson all earned the NYU Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award.

In 2005-06, Choy earned his 100th career win when the Violets posted a 7-2 victory over Haverford College on April 1. In 2004-05, the Violets recorded a best-ever second-place finish at the NYSWCAA Championships.

“I am very proud of my players’ accomplishments on the court. But, I’m just as impressed by what they’ve achieved in the classroom," Choy stated.

Prior to coming to NYU, Choy spent five seasons as the head girls’ tennis coach at New York City’s Hunter High School. His teams compiled a 38-2 record during his tenure at the school and three times advanced to the semifinals of the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) playoffs. Choy helped lead Hunter to the PSAL Championship match in 1990 and to two semifinal appearances in the Mayor’s Cup competition.

A 1987 graduate of NYU’s School of Business and Public Administration, Choy earned a master’s degree in math education from Hunter College in 1992. A two-year member of NYU’s varsity tennis team and a United States Professional Tennis Association certified teaching pro since 1990, Choy also works as a tennis instructor at NYU.

Choy has also worked at many prestigious tennis clubs around New York City, including the East River Tennis Club, the Crosstown Tennis Club, and at the USTA National Tennis Center, home of the U.S. Open.

“I have always enjoyed the camaraderie that comes with team sports,” Choy said. “Tennis also allows you to work on aspects of the game on your own. In a match, the player is out there on the line and you have to rely on your own character. I believe that playing college tennis really gives you the best of both worlds, and I really enjoy the challenge of helping my players through that.”

A Manhattan native and resident, Choy is married to Silvana Cipriano, a 1994 NYU graduate and four-year swimming team member, and is the proud father of Miranda Rose.

Horace Choy Women's Record
Year
W
L
Pct.
UAA
Finish
1993-94
8
7
.533
6th
1994-95
9
4
.692
1995-96
7
3
.700
7th
1996-97
5
6
.455
8th
1997-98
6
2
.750
6th
1998-99
11
6
.647
6th
1999-00
10
7
.588
6th
2000-01
9
8
.529
5th
2001-02
12
5
.706
5th
2002-03
7
6
.538
4th
2003-04
8
6
.571
5th
2004-05
3
8
.273
6th
2005-06
9
5
.643
5th
2006-07
10
7
.588
4th
Totals
114
80
.588

Christina Thiele

Assistant

Christina Theile is in her sixth season as the assistant women's tennis coach at New York University.

In 2006-07, Theile helped the team tie for its best-ever finish, fourth place, at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship. (NYU also placed fourth in 2003.) The Violets reached double-digit victories (10-7) for the first time in five years – the 2001-02 squad went 12-5 – and finished the season ranked #13 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Northeast Region.

In 2005-06, Theile helped lead the Violets to a 9-5 match record and to a fifth-place finish at the UAA Championship. Overall, the Violets produced a 37-32 match record during Theile’s first five seasons.

Prior to her arrival at NYU, Theile worked for the A&P Tennis Classic in Mahwah, New Jersey. Her duties included operational tasks, as well as promotional activities.

Theile has also served as tennis pro at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ, and at the Quest Health & Tennis/New York Sports Club, where she gave group and private lessons to adults and children.

A 2002 graduate of Lafayette College with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Theile was a member of the Leopards’ varsity tennis team and was ranked by both the United States Tennis Association and the Eastern Tennis Association.

Theile, who also works as a sales representative for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, earned a master’s of science degree in jurisprudence from the Seton Hall University School of Law in 2007.

Theile is a native and resident of Ramsey, NJ.

Radoslav Radev

Assistant

Radoslav Radev is in his first season as an assistant tennis coach for New York University. He will be responsible for aiding head coach Horace Choy in all facets of the tennis program.

Radev comes to NYU with extensive experience in the game, having been a member of the Bulgarian Davis Cup team from 1994-1996. He won the Bulgarian National Championship in 1993, 1995 and 1997, and also holds a Bulgarian National doubles title.

A national champion in the under-14's, 16's and 18's, Radev also played in four European Championships.

“I am very happy to have Rado join our coaching staff and I look forward to working with him,” Choy said. “Having played Davis Cup for his country and club tennis, he has competed in team tennis at its highest levels. I know that he will bring a lot of that knowledge and experience to our program.”

An international teacher of the game, Radev has served as a tennis professional at the Tennis Club CSKA in Bulgaria and at the Marco Polo Tennis Academy in Austria. He has served similar roles in the United States, as well, working in both Connecticut and New York.

In addition to his reponsibilities at NYU, Radev also currently serves as the assistant tennis professional at the Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, NY.

A native of Bulgaria who currently resides in White Plains, NY, Radev has professional level certification by the United States Professional Tennis Registry (USPTR). He is also certified by the USPTR in competitive drills and games, munchkin tennis and tennis management.