HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Houghton Athletics has announced the hiring of Kitsa Scime as its new head men's and women's tennis coach. Scime becomes the fifth full-time head coach in the history of the Highlander tennis programs.

Scime joins Houghton after serving as an NCAA Division I assistant men's and women's tennis coach at Marist University, where she assisted with all aspects of both programs, including practice planning, player development, recruiting, match preparation and team operations.

During the 2025-26 season, Marist's men's team posted a 15-6 overall record and an undefeated 8-0 mark in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, capturing the regular-season conference championship and advancing to the MAAC Tournament final. The team also finished No. 8 in the ITA New England Region year-end rankings. The women's team finished 11-7 overall.

A native of Western New York, Scime brings both collegiate playing and coaching experience, along with an established connection to the regional tennis community. Prior to Marist, she worked as a tennis professional at Village Glen Tennis & Pickleball Club in Williamsville and held coaching positions with the Town of Amherst Youth and Recreation Department.

Scime was a standout collegiate player at Daemen University, where she competed at the NCAA Division II level from 2021-25. A three-year team captain, she holds the program record for career singles winning percentage and earned three Team MVP honors. She was named First Team All-East Coast Conference in 2023 and Second Team All-ECC in 2022 while compiling 82 career victories.

"We are excited to have Kitsa Scime join the Houghton University athletic department as our new tennis coach," said Director of Athletics Matthew Webb. "Coach Scime brings a high level of credibility as an accomplished tennis player and coach from her playing days at Daemen College and most recently coaching at Marist University. Her understanding and familiarity with the Western New York tennis landscape will serve her well as she recruits for the program. Her energy and desire to pour into our athletes both on and off the courts is clearly evident from both a tennis and relational/spiritual perspective."

Scime is equally enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead the Highlander programs and become part of the Houghton community.

"I am very excited to lead the Houghton Men's and Women's Tennis programs and become part of such a tight-knit community," said Scime. "I would like to thank Dr. Webb for providing me with this opportunity. Houghton's commitment to faith, integrity, and relationships aligns closely with my own values and approach to coaching. I look forward to building on the foundation of both programs, developing our student-athletes, and fostering a culture centered on commitment, growth, and competitive excellence. Go Highlanders!"

Scime earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in human resource management and minors in sport management, marketing, entrepreneurship and e-commerce/web design from Daemen. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Ethical Leadership at Marist.

She also has been active in collegiate tennis leadership, serving as a representative on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Student-Athlete Council and participating in the ITA Rising Coaches Program.