Player Bio: Darija Klaic - University of Washington Official Athletic Site
April 18, 2013 | Women's Tennis
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Darija Klaic , a two-time doubles All-American and a 2003 Washington graduate, begins her first year as the assistant coach for the Washington women's tennis team. Klaic was named assistant coach right before the 2004 NCAA Championships, after serving as team manager and Nordstrom Tennis Center assistant facility manager for most of last season.
"I am very excited to have Darija back with women's tennis," McCain said at the time of her hiring. "I hired her because of her economics degree, her fantastic administrative skills, and her keen eye for the game. She understands our history and will be an invaluable asset as the new assistant coach."
Along with doubles partner Claire Carter, Klaic earned All-America honors in doubles in 2002 and 2003. The pair was one of the top doubles teams to ever play at Washington, as Carter and Klaic finished 2003 with a No. 10 national ranking. They also finished the 2002 season with a No. 20 national billing.
Klaic, a native of Zupanja, Croatia, ranks second only to Carter in UW career doubles wins with 84. Klaic and Carter also hold the season doubles record with 26 wins in 2002-03, a mark that was equaled by Carter and senior Dea Sumantri last year. Carter and Klaic also hold the distinction of being the first Husky doubles team to reach the NCAA quarterfinals in 2001. Carter and Sumantri matched that accomplishment last year as well.
Klaic recorded at least 20 doubles wins in three of her four seasons at Washington. She also earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention acclaim in 2002. An outstanding academic student as well, Klaic was a three-time Pac-10 All-Academic selection, including a second-team selection in 2002. Prior to coming to Washington, Klaic was the No. 1 ranked junior in Croatia.
