CHICAGO, Ill. -- After 11 seasons at the helm of North Park University's women's tennis program, Head Coach Karl Soderstrom has announced his resignation. Soderstrom led the Vikings to unprecedented success, including the program's first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) championship this past fall.
"Coaching the North Park Tennis team and working with so many outstanding student athletes and coaches for these years has been a fantastic and meaningful experience for me," said Soderstrom. "I was proud to play tennis for four years at North Park as an undergraduate, and to be asked by [then] Athletic Director Jack Surridge in 2013 to start the tennis team back up was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. As tough as this decision to step down is, my departure from coaching comes from a good place, and a desire to open new possibilities in my career in teaching and research. I wanted to leave the program in a strong position for success in the future, and securing the conference championship this last year did just that. Finally, I must express gratitude and pride for the players I had the opportunity to coach over these years, and I look forward to the continued success of the team in the future."
The 2024 spring season marked a turning point for the program, as the team achieved a record 16 wins and secured a third-place finish in the CCIW standings. The Vikings earned their first-ever victory in a CCIW playoff match, followed by a win in the semifinals - also their first - against Wheaton College. This propelled them to their inaugural appearance in the league's tournament championship. This momentum continued into the fall season, where North Park posted a 7-1 CCIW record and captured its first regular-season title.
Soderstrom, in collaboration with Coach Alice Copland, helped recruit and develop a pair of all-conference performers. Two players - Hanna Zethraeus and Alexandra Ristfeldt - were named to the All-CCIW First Team, marking the first time in program history that two Viking athletes received first-team honors in the same season. North Park concluded the 2025 season with an 11-9 record, achieving back-to-back winning seasons for the first time.
"I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Coach Karl Soderstrom for his exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to the Women's Tennis program at North Park University," said John Born, North Park's Director of Athletics. His dedication to mentoring student-athletes and cultivating a culture of excellence, integrity, and resilience has left an indelible mark on our team. Under his direction, the program not only reached new competitive heights but also captured its first-ever CCIW Championship—a milestone achievement. The entire department is deeply grateful for Coach Soderstrom's years of service and the remarkable legacy he leaves behind."
A press release about the new head coach of the Vikings Women's Tennis team will be announced Tuesday, June 24, at 8:00 AM CT.
