Staff Directory
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- Start Date:
- 07/01/2022
Lara Soares stepped into her role as Liberty Women’s Tennis Assistant Coach in July 2022.
In her current position, Soares has several responsibilities, including: assisting with on-court coaching during practice and matches, planning practices, providing input on decisions regarding scheduling, assisting with all aspects of recruiting, stringing racquets for the team, organizing all match and practice videos, helping with the organization of home events, assisting with team needs on travel trips, helping lead team meetings and one-on-one meetings, aiding with paperwork involving traveling, housing, recruiting and finances and assisting with team equipment needs.
Prior to assuming her current role, Soares spent the 2021-22 school year as a graduate assistant coach for Liberty. Soares helped the Lady Flames match a program record with 19 wins (19-8 record) and reach their first ASUN Championship final in program history. Liberty saw three players named to the ASUN All-Conference team, led by first team selection and ASUN Freshman of the Year Maria Juliana Parra Romero.
Soares enjoyed a successful playing career for the Lady Flames, competing during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons after transferring from Southwest Baptist. During her final season at Liberty, Soares garnered a No. 64 national singles ranking, the best mark of any player in program history. She served as a team captain and earned VaSID All-State singles second team honors as well as VaSID All-State doubles second team recognition with her partner Maria Medina. Soares also earned ITA Scholar-Athlete honors and was voted to the ASUN All-Academic team as well as the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
As a junior during the 2017-18 season, Soares was tabbed to the Big South All-Conference first team in both singles and doubles and VaSID All-State doubles first team. Soares earned Big South Presidential Honor Roll distinction in 2018 as well.
Soares graduated from Liberty in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, earning magna cum laude distinction. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sport management: coaching and athletic administration, which she expects to complete in May 2023.
Prior to returning to Liberty, Soares served as an assistant tennis coach at HIT TÊNIS in Brasilia, Brazil from July 2019-July 2021. In that role, she coached youth tennis players ages 9-18 and also guided them towards scholarship opportunities.
