William Woods adding tennis

FULTON - William Woods University is bringing tennis back.

Following a 15-year absence from the sport, the William Woods athletics department announced Monday men's and women's tennis will return to the school, starting in the fall of 2015.

"We are confident the sport of tennis is a great fit for our university and department," William Woods director of athletics Jason Vittone said in a statement. "We are eager to start a search for our tennis coach and begin the recruiting process."

William Woods had a women's tennis team from 1976-99, but 2015 will be the inaugural season for a men's team.

One coach will be hired to run both programs by August, at which time he or she will begin the recruiting process. The tennis courts will also be resurfaced in preparation for the fall 2015 season.

William Woods, a member of the American Midwest Conference, will join Missouri Baptist, Lindenwood-Belleville, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Stephen College as member schools who offer tennis. Stephens is the only institution that doesn't offer a men's team.

"Currently the AMC competes in an unaffiliated grouping to qualify for the national tournament," Vittone said. "The conference needs six member institutions to receive an automatic bid. With William Woods adding tennis, it gets our conference one step closer to that goal."