Long before women’s sports competition became a recognized part of college life, Presbyterian College teams played others on a club basis. Those early clubs were the birthplace of much of the modern athletic program. The club years of 1971-1973 provided an opportunity for the undergraduate to participate in tennis as part of the Department of Athletics and Physical Education program. Much of the credit should go to Jane Hammet, one of the pioneers in establishing women’s athletic activities, who was instrumental in the early growth of women’s tennis as well as other team and individual programs.

A major change took place in 1974 when the Presbyterian Athletic Department granted varsity status to women’s tennis. This was also the first year varsity letters were awarded to members of the women’s tennis team. The building program had begun and for two years with Rick Barker, intercollegiate matches were scheduled on a modest basis, and in 1976, the first women’s scholarships were granted. In 1977, Richard McKee was named head coach of both the men and women’s varsity teams. PC’s teams were then a member of the AIAW (Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women). From 1977 to 1979, PC kept pace with the growth of intercollegiate tennis in South Carolina, fielding representative teams, qualifying in state AIAW play and gaining prestige in regional competition.

The 1980’s ushered in a new coach in Bobby McKee who guided the team through the 1986 season. During those years, PC women’s tennis distinguished themselves as a formidable team on the national level, finishing 5th, 7th, and 5th in the NAIA National Championships in 1981, 1982, and 1983, respectively. The first All-American women’s tennis player was recognized in 1981(Darlene O’Dell), and the first Academic All-Americans from PC were recognized in 1983 (Darlene O’Dell and Kelly Shackelford). Libby Galloway, an assistant under McKee, took the helm for the 1986-87 season.

Donna Arnold began her PC association beginning with the 1987-88 season, and distinguished herself as an outstanding coach, leading the Lady Blue Hose to eight SAC Tournament titles, six straight NCAA postseason appearances, along with eleven years of producing nationally ranked teams. Along the way, she was recognized as the SAC Coach of the Year numerous times, was recognized as the most outstanding collegiate coach in South Carolina in 1996, and was a two-time NCAA II East Region Women’s Coach of The Year. She left the coaching ranks in the fall of 1999.

Bobby McKee returned to the women’s program in January of 2000. McKee’s 2000 and 2001 teams captured the SAC Regular Season and Tournament titles, the NCAA East Region Championships, and berths in the NCAA Final 16 National Championships.

The 2002 and 2003 teams were Co-SAC Champions and qualified for the NCAA Championships, where both years they were defeated by Rollins College in the NCAA Southeast Region Tournament.

The 2004 squad fell short in their bid for a conference championship; however, the team’s overall results qualified them for their 10th consecutive NCAA postseason appearance.

This past season, the Lady Blue Hose won the SAC regular season and Food Lion SAC Tournament Championships qualified for their 11th consecutive NCAA postseason appearance, the longest consecutive streak in the league among any sport at any institution.