RICHMOND, Va. – Vivian Segnini will be the next head coach of the VCU Women's Tennis program, Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin announced Tuesday. 
 
Segnini is no stranger to VCU. The former professional player served as a graduate assistant for the Rams in 2018-19 and helped lead the program to an Atlantic 10 Conference Championship. She helped mentor VCU standout senior Paola Exposito Diaz-Delgado, who advanced to the NCAA Singles Round of 16 and earned ITA All-America honors that season.

"We enthusiastically welcome Vivian back to VCU to lead our women's tennis program," said McLaughlin. "She stood out during her time working for Coach Paul Kostin by her ability to connect with our student-athletes. She brings a global recruiting portfolio that fits well with our program and a deep knowledge of teaching the game of tennis. I look forward to her continuing the amazing tradition of success created by Coach Kostin for years to come."
 
"I'm honored for the opportunity to lead the VCU Women's Tennis program," Segnini said. "I would like to thank Ed McLaughlin, the search committee, and everyone at VCU for trusting me and my vision for the Women's Tennis program. I could not be more excited to represent such a prestigious university that has a tremendous athletic tradition. I am looking forward to working with the team and the entire VCU Tennis staff."

Segnini replaces longtime VCU Tennis Coach Paul Kostin, who retired in May following a remarkable 30-year tenure at the school.

She rejoins the Rams after spending the 2019-20 campaign as head coach of the women's program at Winthrop, her alma mater. Segnini previously served as an assistant coach for the Eagles from 2013-18, and helped lead the team to four Big South Conference Championships (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018). In 2018, she helped coach Winthrop to the school's first NCAA Tournament victory, a defeat of 20th-ranked Auburn. During that period, two players, Megan Kauffman and Lauren Proctor, earned ITA All-American honors.

A native of Sao Carlos, Brazil, Segnini played professionally from 2004-12 and was ranked as high as No. 275 in the world in singles and No. 244 in doubles. She also helped lift Brazil's national team in the 2010 and 2012 Fed Cup and played singles and doubles in the 2011 Panamerican Games. She was the top ranked professional player in Brazil in 2008 and 2011.

Segnini earned her undergraduate degree in psychology, with a minor in coaching, from Winthrop in 2017. She completed her Master's in sport leadership from VCU's Center for Sport Leadership in 2019.

The VCU Women's Tennis program has won six of the past seven Atlantic 10 Conference Championships, and the Rams have reached 19 of the past 24 NCAA Tournaments. The Rams reached the NCAA Elite Eight in 2002 and the Sweet 16 in 2006. VCU players have earned 11 ITA All-America citations.