ROCK SPRINGS — Haylie Nandrup is taking over the Rock Springs High School tennis program with a familiar group of athletes and a clear vision for what she wants the Tigers to become.

Nandrup, who previously served as an assistant coach, was promoted to head coach in May. She enters her first season leading the program with an emphasis on building a positive culture centered on hard work, accountability and support.

“It truly feels like an honor to step into the head coach role,” Nandrup said.

Nandrup brings a strong competitive and coaching background to the position. She is a Wyoming Tennis Association coach with four years of varsity and national coaching experience and previously competed as a No. 1 singles and doubles player as well as a USTA junior singles competitor.

During her time as an assistant with Rock Springs, Nandrup helped guide five teams to regional championships and four teams to state semifinal appearances.

Now, she and a new coaching staff are looking to build on that foundation while putting their own stamp on the program.

“My biggest goal is to build a stronger, more positive team culture—one centered on hard work, accountability, and supporting one another,” Nandrup said. “I believe that by creating the right culture, the wins will follow.”

Although official practices have not yet begun, Rock Springs players have already spent much of the summer preparing for the upcoming season.

Nandrup said she has been impressed by the commitment shown by the Tigers’ athletes. Some players traveled on their own to attend tennis camps, while others worked with University of Wyoming tennis coaching staff, participated in open nets and competed in in-house tournaments.

The program also organized singles, doubles and mixed doubles tournaments throughout the summer, giving athletes and community members opportunities to compete and stay involved with the sport.

Those events have provided more than just additional court time.

Nandrup said the summer competitions have helped the Tigers work on fundamentals while also creating excitement around the program and giving players opportunities to compete against one another before the official season begins.

With the roster still being evaluated, Nandrup said it is too early to settle on specific returning players or newcomers who will fill the top spots.

Tennis can change quickly, she said, making the work players put in during the offseason particularly important.

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” Nandrup stated as one of her favorite quotes.

That philosophy will carry into the first few weeks of official practice.

Rock Springs plans to continue emphasizing fundamentals while establishing the team’s culture. Players will compete for positions through their work and consistency, while the coaching staff evaluates the roster, develops team chemistry and prepares athletes mentally and physically for the season.

“We want our athletes to compete every day, push each other to improve, and earn their positions through hard work and consistency,” Nandrup said.

The Tigers will also be expected to approach the season with an emphasis that extends beyond the tennis court.

Nandrup said being successful in the program means being good students and better people, with athletes representing Rock Springs tennis through character, integrity and accountability.

The coaching staff plans to hold itself to those same standards.

“Our goal is to lead by example, serve as positive role models, and build a culture that fosters success—not just in tennis, but in life,” Nandrup said.

That approach gives Nandrup plenty to look forward to as she begins her first season at the helm.

More than anything, she wants to see the players who spent the summer putting in the work continue that progress once official competition begins.

“I’m most looking forward to building a positive culture and watching our athletes grow throughout the season,” Nandrup said. “More than anything, I’m looking forward to helping our athletes succeed both on and off the court.”