Paul Worstell, a 1994 William Jewell graduate, is now in his 12th year as the Head Tennis Coach at William Jewell College. Worstell, who spent the 2013-14 season battling Leukemia, enters the 2017-18 season with a combined 286-317 overall record. His women's teams have accumulated a record of 199-174 (.535), while the men's teams under his tenure have tallied a win-loss record of 87-132 (.397). In 2012, Worstell became the only coach in Jewell women’s tennis history to reach 100 career victories.
In 2006, his first as head coach of the Cardinals, Worstell led the team to its best record in school history at 18-2. He has also led the squad to two conference titles (2006 and 2010), one region final (2006) and two consecutive region semi-finals (2007, 2008). In 2011, the women's team finished 17-7, won the HAAC, qualified for the NAIA National Tournament and finished the season ranked 23rd in the nation. Worstell was also named Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NAIA Region Coach of the Year.
Worstell has also guided a women's doubles team to the Fall ITA National Tournament seven out of the last twelve years.
The men's tennis teams at Jewell have steadily been improving. The men finished fourth in HAAC play in 2009 which was their highest finish in over six years. 2009 also saw the Cardinals ranked in the top 30 for the first time in over 15 years after their upset of then #24 ranked Bethany College. In 2008 and 2009 the WJC men's team also received individual national rankings with two of their players being ranked in the nation. In 2011, the men's team finished 16-9 which was their best record in over ten years.
In addition to the success on the tennis courts, Worstell's teams have excelled in the classroom. He has coached three NAIA All-Americans (6 selections) and 19 NAIA Academic All-Americans.
Worstell is the director of the William Jewell College Summer tennis team camps and is also a member of the USPTA.
While at Jewell, Worstell was a standout player for the Cardinals. During his first year he played number six and helped the Cardinals qualify for the National Tournament. As a sophomore, he shot up the ranks to play number three and won the district 16 Championship in singles and doubles. He was very active on campus at Jewell as President of FCA, a Resident Assistant and Station Manager for KWJC. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication in 1994.
Worstell lives in Liberty with his wife Kristi (another Jewell Grad of 1994) and their three boys Brady, Landon and Carter.
Â
