The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will field a women's tennis program for the first time in school history, beginning in the spring 2018 semester.

With the addition of women's tennis, COC is now home to 17 intercollegiate sports programs. Included in that total are nine women's teams and eight men's teams. 

COC physical education instructor Vicki Sanchez has been named women's tennis head coach and will take control of the new program, effective immediately.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Sanchez to the Cougar Athletics family and proud to be able to offer this new athletic opportunity to our student body," said Chuck Lyon, Interim Dean of Physical Education, Kinesiology, Athletics & Athletic Director at the college.

"Bringing a women's tennis program to College of the Canyons will expand the opportunities for female athletes on this campus," added Lyon, "while providing youth tennis players from across the Santa Clarita Valley with a potential destination to compete at the collegiate level."

The California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) women's tennis season runs from late January to late April. Teams may compete a maximum of 26 regular season dates per season, with matches held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Teams are composed of at least six players, with programs competing in singles and doubles matches throughout the season. Each scheduled match includes six singles matches followed by three doubles matches. At the end of the regular season both an individual and doubles champion are crowned. 

The COC women's tennis program will compete in the Western State Conference. Canyons becomes the eighth school in the conference to field a women's tennis team, joining Antelope Valley, Bakersfield, Glendale, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Ventura and Victor Valley College.

COC's home matches will be hosted on the tennis courts located at the college's Valencia campus.