Ben Lee has served as an assistant coach of the New York University's men's and women's tennis teams since the 2016-17 season.
Though the 2019-20 campaign was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, the accomplishments of both teams were enough to fill an entire season. The women won all four of their dual matches in the abbreviated spring season and were ranked #17 in the nation and #10 in the Northeast Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). During the fall, three players were victorious at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships. Freshman Karina Jensrud took the singles title, while junior Anna Maria Buraya and freshman Anatasiia Balyk combined to win the doubles crown.
All three went on to compete at the ITA Oracle Cup and earn All-America honors. In addition, Buraya and Jensrud received All-UAA (University Athletic Association) First and Second Team Singles honors, respectively, while combining for All-UAA First Doubles. In the final ITA rankings of the season, Jensrud was placed #19 nationally and #7 in the Northeast Region in singles, while Buraya and Balyk were ranked #6 and #4, respectively, in doubles.
The men’s team posted a 1-2 match record and ranked #15 in the ITA Northeast Region. Freshman Alex Yang made an impressive debut, advancing to the Round of 16 at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships in the fall. The spring season culminated with a come-from-behind 5-4 victory over Southern Virginia University on Senior Day. Senior Vishal Walia, who contributed a singles and doubles victory in the match to help propel the comeback, finished his NYU career second all-time in #3 doubles victories (16).
In 2018-19, Lee helped lead the women’s team to a 10-2 record and the men to a 7-8 campaign. The women’s team finished the season ranked #19 nationally by the ITA. The Violets also won two of its three matches at the UAA Championship, taking fifth place and matching the team’s highest finish since 2009. Buraya ended the season ranked #32 in singles by the ITA, while the doubles pair of Fleura Shiyanova and Coco Kulle combined to win the ITA Northeast Region Doubles Championship and capture ITA Division III All-America recognition. Kulle also earned honors as First Team All-UAA Second Singles.
On the men’s side, Lucas Biondi, who posted an impressive 12-1 match record during the season, earned Second Team All-UAA Third Singles honors. The squad was ranked #36 in the nation at the end of the campaign while Walia earned a #46 ranking nationally in singles.
In 2017-18, the NYU women posted a 10-2 dual-match record and earned its first-ever top-20 ITA ranking, ending the season at #20 nationally after peaking at #17 earlier in the season. The men’s team finished with a 5-10 overall record. The women’s squad produced three All-Americans (Buraya, Kulle and Shiyanova), while Buraya and Kulle were named First Team All-UAA for singles and Honorable Mention All-UAA for doubles.
In his inaugural ’16-17 season, Lee helped lead the men’s team to a 10-4 overall record. The Violets ended the campaign ranked #27 nationally and #11 in the Northeast Region by the ITA. The women’s team finished 8-5 and finished the season ranked #33 nationally and #11 in the Northeast Region by the ITA.
Lee has served as a tennis professional at several clubs, the most recent (2013-16) being the Solaris Racquet Club in Stamford, CT, where he coached over 100 sectionally- and nationally- ranked athletes ages 8-18.
Lee also spent time as an assistant professional at the Fairfield County Hunt Club (2014), the Ridgewood Country Club (2013), the Newfield Swim & Tennis Club (2012), and the Country Club of New Canaan (2011). His responsibilities included coordinating clinics and private lessons for his students of all ages.
A 2015 graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of General Studies Degree in economics and industry, Lee was a two-year member of the Wildcats' Division I tennis team. He was a two-time Athletics Academic Champion as well as a Dean's List student. Lee played one season at Louisiana-Lafayette University before transferring to Arizona, and served on UL's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
During his high school years, Lee won the Connecticut State Singles Championship in 2010, was named All-State in 2009 and 2010 and was selected All-Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference from 2007-2010.
A native of New Canaan, CT, Lee currently resides in New York City.
