The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's and women's tennis teams will now have the guidance from a previous champion out of the program, as they announced Avery Zavala as the new Assistant Coach in January 2025.
 
Joining the coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season, Zavala comes back to A&M-Corpus Christi after a short time away from graduating last spring that capped a two-year stint with the Islanders men's tennis team.
 
His time with the Islanders as a student-athlete was nothing short of successful, as he was the No. 1 player in singles and doubles both years. Zavala was a two-time All-Conference First Team selection for No. 1 doubles with his big moment coming in the 2023 season when he clinched the doubles point in the finals of the conference tournament 7-6 (6) against New Orleans which played a big role in A&M-Corpus Christi's 4-3 win to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and earn men's tennis its 22nd conference championship. He had entered the NCAA Tournament that season on an 11-match winning-streak in doubles.
 
Zavala was also an All-Conference Second Team honoree his senior year for No. 1 singles after going 11-7 overall and 3-1 in conference, which was tied for league-best record at that top spot. He also went undefeated in doubles throughout the conference slate that year.
 
Overall, his playing career with Islanders men's tennis saw a 29-11 doubles record and 26-16 singles record.
 
Prior to coming to A&M-Corpus Christi in 2023, Zavala played two seasons at the University of Arkansas and posted a 6-2 dual record in singles. He registered a win over Vincent Rettke (No. 22 Alabama) in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (5) and notched wins over Kentucky, Omaha, Oral Roberts and Saint Louis. He additionally earned SEC All-Academic honors during his time with the Razorbacks.
 
"Avery brings so much to the team! He played #1 singles and doubles on a championship team that went to the NCAAs! Avery has a great coaching mind, work ethic, and is a positive uplifting family guy! He's the kind of guy you want to be leading young student-athletes! He was the top ranked player in the state of Texas and had success on the pro tour, so he understands the journey! Avery comes from a great coaching family where all three Zavala brothers were ranked #1 in Texas, which is an incredible accomplishment! But what I love the most about Avery is how much he loves the Islanders Tennis family! I know he will pour his heart and soul into developing character in these kids!" said head coach Steve Moore.
 
Since graduating, Zavala has been playing on the ATP professional tour where he saw success in several doubles tournaments.

Out of high school, Zavala was ranked a five-star recruit by Tennis Recruiting Network and was the #1 player coming out of the state of Texas. He won doubles bracket at the USTA National Level 2 Tournament in Austin, Texas and also picked up third-place finishes in singles and doubles at the USTA National Level 2 Tournament in Corpus Christi, Texas in October 2019. Zavala was a four-year All-State honoree, having only lost three singles matches through his entire high school career to additionally help his teams to three district championships.
 
Zavala graduated from A&M-Corpus Christi in May 2024 with his bachelor's degree in accounting. He will continue his education on the Island, working towards his master's while coaching for Islanders Tennis.