CALIFORNIA (Feb. 24) – California University of Pennsylvania head tennis coach Pablo Montana has announced the addition of junior Julia Cohen (Philadelphia, Pa./Laurel Springs/Miami (Fla.)), a NCAA Division I All-American at Miami (Fla.) in 2009 and SEC Rookie of the Year at Florida in 2008.

Cohen has been ruled eligible by the NCAA to compete immediately for the Vulcans.

“With the addition of Julia to our line-up, it gives us a very good chance to compete for a National Championship,” said Montana. “It's very exciting to get the chance to a coach a player who ranked No. 1 in the world in the international junior circuit.”

While with the Hurricanes last season, Cohen finished the year ranked fifth in the nation in singles after advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Championships last May. She posted a 33-8 record in singles and received All-ACC honors following a perfect 11-0 record in league play. Playing against nationally-ranked opponents in singles, she posted an impressive 22-8 record. Cohen also was ranked No. 37 in doubles with Bianca Eickhorn last year.

“This is an incredible story. I have known her father, Dr. Rich Cohen for decades from competing against him in the junior circuit where he was one of the top players in the nation,” said Cal U Athletic Director Tom Pucci, who was the head men's tennis coach at Arkansas for eight years. “Julia has trained with two of my former players in Pablo Aarraya and Chip Hooper and this has really helped in getting her to the program.”

In her first year competing at the college level, Cohen was named SEC Rookie of the Year and ITA Rookie of the Year while playing with the Gators. She was the first Florida rookie to open dual match play at No. 1 singles in nearly 15 seasons. The Philadelphia native compiled a perfect 21-0 record in doubles play with the Gators prior to the NCAA Tournament.

In addition to the addition of Julia Cohen, Montana has announced that Nancy Cohen – Julia's mother – will serve as a volunteer assistant coach.

Cohen was the assistant tennis coach at Division I La Salle University in Philadelphia for six years and is one of the top-ranked women's players in the Middle States, which encompasses Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“Nancy brings a great deal of experience and expertise to our program,” said Montana. “She will be a tremendous coaching addition for our players.”

The Vulcans have advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Tournament in two of the last three seasons and are the three-time defending Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Champions.