Coach Branch supports each girls tennis player to improve their skills. photo by Evelyn Jackson
Thomas Jefferson’s new girls’ tennis coach is excited to uplift the team.
Thomas Jefferson High School girls’ tennis team has an entirely new coaching staff for the 2025 spring season. Head coach Stacey Branch is dedicated to cultivating an uplifting and cohesive community within the team by providing athletes with the opportunity to grow as tennis players and individuals.
Born in Wisconsin, Branch moved to Colorado in 1997 to attend Colorado State University. Following her graduation from Colorado State, she remained in Colorado. Branch’s tennis journey began taking lessons as a child, she became involved in the local tennis community when she joined the Colorado Athletic Club (CAC) 16 years ago and “met amazing people in the tennis community.” At the CAC, Branch has played singles, doubles, ladies, and mixed matches. Because of Branch’s former corporate employment, she didn’t have the time or flexibility to pursue coaching tennis despite her interest but, when Branch stepped away from her corporate job and shifted her focus toward more tennis opportunities, she heard about the opening for a head coach with TJ’s girls’ team. She said, “I’ve always been interested in coaching tennis but I haven’t had an opportunity to do so in the past.” Branch lives locally and has been a spectator of TJ’s girls’ tennis team for many years because her daughter has been on the team for the past three years, so naturally Branch was thrilled to take on the role of head coach.
As the head coach, Branch leads practices, facilitates home matches, organizes scheduling and rosters, and manages most everything else. However, two other coaches have also stepped up to support the team, including Jena DuPont who is a close friend of Branch’s. The two played tennis together at the CAC for 15 years, so she was happy to join Branch as the assistant coach of the girls’ tennis team. Branch said that Dupont is “super excited to be working with all of the athletes to develop their sense of self confidence and tennis capabilities and positive attitudes.” As well as an assistant coach, the team has a tennis pro, Robert Sterk, assisting in the development of the players. Sterk moved from Idaho five years ago and has worked with Branch and her family in developing their own skills. When he learned that Branch was taking on the position, he offered to volunteer his time to build up the skills of the TJ athletes. Branch is grateful to have the help of both DuPont and Sterk to better the Spartan program.
Branch has enjoyed getting to know all of the girls on the team and she is excited to see the girls support each other. She says that “getting to know all of the girls on the tennis team has been by far the most rewarding part of the job. It’s been fun to embrace so many unique individuals on our team.” Branch will continue to embrace each player and give everyone an opportunity to practice and play. Outside of coaching, Branch enjoys playing tennis and golfing. She is also in a bowling league at the Arapahoe Bowling Center and enjoys walking her dog Chewie. Branch also makes ceramics on her own pottery wheel and loves to spend time with her family.
Although it’s her first year coaching, Branch is equipped with 16 years of competitive tennis experience and has provided each girl on the team with the support and encouragement to improve their tennis skills and competitive mindset. Branch has already led the Varsity team to multiple wins although she focuses heavily on the improvement and attitude of each girl. Branch is looking forward to keeping the team positive, organized, and always improving.
