Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Oklahoma State University
Nehles steps down from Cowgirl Tennis for personal reasons
November 18, 2025 | Cowgirl Tennis
Avdeyev moves into interim head coach position
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State Director of Athletics Chad Weiberg has announced that Cowgirl tennis head coach Henner Nehles has stepped down and Cowboy Tennis associate head coach Sergey Avdeyev will assume the role of interim head coach for the Cowgirls' upcoming spring season.
Both the men's and women's programs will continue to operate under the supervision of OSU Director of Tennis Dustin Taylor.
"I want to sincerely thank Henner Nehles for his work as our interim women's coach during a successful fall season," Weiberg said. "The Cowgirls carry a national brand in their sport and Henner has set the table for another successful run this spring, following on the heels of last year's trip to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. His personality and leadership were exactly what our program needed this semester."
"My time at Oklahoma State is something I will never forget," Nehles said. "I appreciate the faith Chad showed in me by entrusting me with the program over the past months. We have a talented group of women who are great people as well."
"Unfortunately, at this point in time, my family needs and deserves my undivided attention and so I have made this difficult decision to leave the program. I will be cheering on the Cowgirls as they make their next deep run in the NCAA Tournament."
Avdeyev served as the head coach at the University of Texas–San Antonio prior to joining Oklahoma State last year. At UTSA he set multiple program records, including achieving the highest national ranking in school history at No. 35, earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament, reaching the conference final, and receiving coach of the year honors.
An Oklahoma graduate, Avdeyev previously served as the associate head coach at Old Dominion, helping lead the program to its first Conference USA title. He also spent time as an assistant coach at OU, contributing to the team's third NCAA Championship final. As a student-athlete, Avdeyev competed for four years and served as team captain. He was ranked in both singles and doubles.
Following his graduation, he worked as a hitting partner for touring professionals and coached several top ITF juniors before starting his collegiate coaching career.
Cowgirl assistant coach Maggie Kane will continue her duties with the program.
Both the men's and women's programs will continue to operate under the supervision of OSU Director of Tennis Dustin Taylor.
"I want to sincerely thank Henner Nehles for his work as our interim women's coach during a successful fall season," Weiberg said. "The Cowgirls carry a national brand in their sport and Henner has set the table for another successful run this spring, following on the heels of last year's trip to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. His personality and leadership were exactly what our program needed this semester."
"My time at Oklahoma State is something I will never forget," Nehles said. "I appreciate the faith Chad showed in me by entrusting me with the program over the past months. We have a talented group of women who are great people as well."
"Unfortunately, at this point in time, my family needs and deserves my undivided attention and so I have made this difficult decision to leave the program. I will be cheering on the Cowgirls as they make their next deep run in the NCAA Tournament."
Avdeyev served as the head coach at the University of Texas–San Antonio prior to joining Oklahoma State last year. At UTSA he set multiple program records, including achieving the highest national ranking in school history at No. 35, earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament, reaching the conference final, and receiving coach of the year honors.
An Oklahoma graduate, Avdeyev previously served as the associate head coach at Old Dominion, helping lead the program to its first Conference USA title. He also spent time as an assistant coach at OU, contributing to the team's third NCAA Championship final. As a student-athlete, Avdeyev competed for four years and served as team captain. He was ranked in both singles and doubles.
Following his graduation, he worked as a hitting partner for touring professionals and coached several top ITF juniors before starting his collegiate coaching career.
Cowgirl assistant coach Maggie Kane will continue her duties with the program.
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