Tempe, AZ - The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced its 2026 Division III Women's Regional Award recipients with a member of the Piedmont University coaching staff in Silas Sandles being named the region's Assistant Coach of the Year.  

Sandles' honor marks the first known award for a Piedmont tennis assistant coach and comes on the heels of the women's tennis team winning its seventh straight regular season championship in conference play, a streak that stretches across the program's time in the USA South and its first four seasons in the CCS. 

"Receiving this award is something that I didn't think I was going to win when Trey (Martin) told me he put my name in for it," said Sandles of the honor. "It's really cool to know that not only Piedmont sees the potential that I have in coaching but also the ITA.

"Transitioning from being a player to working in Admissions full-time and coaching on the side has definitely been an experience, and I am grateful and thankful for the time and effort that Piedmont has put into me to be able to be recognized on a stage like this."

A decorated former Piedmont student-athlete himself, Sandles came to Demorest all the way from Waxahachie, Texas playing four seasons for the men's tennis program himself solidifying his reputation in the sport before stepping into his coaching role.

Earning All-Conference honors in 2024 and 2021, Sandles played both singles and doubles consistently for the Lions playing 19 singles and 24 doubles matches in his senior season alone. 

His consistency led to his culminating All-Conference senior year where he led the team with 12 dual singles wins to go with a 2-0 mark in league play including an exclamation point he put on a home win over league rival Covenant where Sandles won a third-set match tiebreaker to help knock off the Scots.

Sandles also placed first on the team with his eight wins in a tandem at the No. 1 doubles slot in that 2024 season. 

"This year, Silas took on even more responsibility within the women's tennis program." said Head Women's Tennis Coach Trey Martin.  "He coached seven matches on his own while I, as the head coach, was with another group of our players at a completely different match. Not only did that help our players continue to develop, but it allowed him to grow tremendously as a coach."

It should come as no surprise that Sandles recently helped the women's tennis team at Piedmont to yet another regular season championship in conference play.  During his time as a player on the courts, Sandles, in four seasons, did not lose a regular season singles match in conference play - ever.

In fact, Sandles was a perfect 7-0 in his two seasons in the CCS and 9-0 in his two seasons in the USA South Athletic Conference in singles play never dropping a decision during his time as a player.   

Sandles expressed his thanks for mentorship that led him to this point, saying, "I want to thank Trey Martin, Matt Williams, Jamie Purdy, Kim Crawford, Chelsea Wilkes, and Karis Fowler for allowing me to not only work full-time in Admissions doing a job that I love, but also allowing me to work alongside the amazing coaches, players and staff in the athletics department to allow me to get one step closer to my dream."

The Division III regional awards include: ITA/Dunlop Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Player, ITA Senior Player of the Year, ITA Player to Watch, and ITA Community Service Award.

Also a Piedmont tennis veteran player himself and now Head Women's Tennis Coach knows the importance of recognizing those who bring passion to their support of Piedmont, saying, "I'm so proud of Silas for being recognized by the ITA for all that he has done and continues to do for our program.  We're lucky to have him as a Lion!"

This is the first time that such an award has been known to be bestowed upon a Piedmont assistant coach.  For the full release of awards from the ITA, Lions fans can visit the link listed below:

2026 ITA Division III Women's Regional Awards