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Citrus graduate hired as boys coach

By DAWN REISS
Published December 14, 2006

INVERNESS - Citrus athletic director Vicki Overman didn't have to look far to find a new boys tennis coach.

Overman, who coached girls tennis in her first year 1978-79 at Citrus, thought back to that season and hired one of her former athletes: Kit Robison Humbaugh.

Humbaugh, a 1981 Hurricanes graduate and Citrus' dean of students, was the No. 2 singles players on a district champion team. Her twin sister, Claire Robison Kelly, was No. 1. They also played two seasons together Arkansas State.

"It was fun with both of them," Overman said. "It was a good mesh of kids. They play, had fun and giggled a lot. We still do that. Things haven't changed a bit."

Humbaugh, 43, has never been a head coach before but decided to give it a try after Overman asked her to consider the job, which comes with a $1,700 stipend. Humbaugh's sister will likely help her on the court, something she also did last season as an assistant to girls coach Michelle Connor.

"I remember when (Overman) became the coach," Humbaugh said. "She admitted she didn't know anything about tennis. To this day I don't think she can play. But she had that ability to motivate. She showed us respect and had a great sense of humor. You were pretty much off the hook if you gave it your all."

Overman is sure that Humbaugh's background in tennis, which includes teaching at Plantation Inn & Golf Resort, will give her an advantage.

"I know she knows tennis," Overman said, "and she'll do a very good job."

Dawn Reiss can be reached at dreiss@sptimes.com or (352) 860-7303.

[Last modified December 13, 2006, 20:10:59]