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Modise helps elevate Botswana in Davis Cup play

GABORONE, Botswana -- Following an impressive first year as head coach of the Kenyon College women's tennis program, Dominic Modise did not pause from work in the summer months. Instead, he continued his run of success while taking on duties as a coach of the Botswana team during Davis Cup play.

Modise, originally from South Africa, helped steer the Botswana team through a perfect record among the 15 teams competing in Africa Group V. Without dropping a set in pool play, Botswana recorded a trio of 3-0 victories over teams from Ethiopia, Congo, and Libya. 

As play continued at the National Tennis Centre, the pool results thrust Botswana into a playoff match against Madagascar for the right to be promoted from Group V to Group IV in next year's Davis Cup competition. In that playoff match, Botswana suffered its first singles-match loss, but rebounded with a win in the deciding doubles match to secure elevation for next season.

Modise, who possesses plenty of international coaching experience, landed the job in Botswana due to previous work in the area.

"I have been helping the Botswana Tennis Federation with empowering young players to play college tennis for many years," Modise said. "Some of the personnel that had significant roles in the country's daily tennis operation played for me in college."

Prior to taking the head coaching job at Kenyon, Modise amassed 18 seasons of collegiate coaching experience at Colorado University, North Carolina Wesleyan University, and University of Southern Mississippi.

"This year's Davis Cup was a great experience," Modise said. "The format of team coaching in Davis Cup play was similar to college tennis. How we prepared everyday before and after the matches played a vital role in winning and earning the Group promotion. Even though I was far from campus, I was honored and grateful to represent Kenyon on the world stage of tennis."

This past season at Kenyon, Modise coached the Owls to a 16-7 record and a No. 22 national rank. The team won both the North Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and later progressed to the third round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
 
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