Justin Fainter Resigns as Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Pfeiffer University

MISENHEIMER, N.C. (June 15, 2026) — Pfeiffer University has announced that Justin Fainter has resigned from his position as head men's and women's tennis coach, effective July 31.  He leaves Pfeiffer as the winningest coach in program history with a combined record of 208-89 (.700) including a 98-48 overall men's record and a 110-41 women's record.

Fainter was announced as the head coach of the Pfeiffer men's and women's tennis programs on Nov. 12, 2020, returning to Misenheimer after a five-year break from his first tenure in The Village.

This past season, Fainter's men's team posted a 15-4 overall record and a 4-1 mark in USA South play.  He had four players earn All-USA South honors while freshman Valter Albuquerque garnered the league's Rookie of the Year Award.  His women's team was also successful, returning a 13-5 overall mark and 3-2 USA South record.  Four Falcons were named All-USA South selections following the season.

In the 2024-2025 seasons, Fainter was named USA South Women's Tennis Coach of the Year after leading the Falcons to a 7-1 record in USA South play and a 14-6 overall record.  He helped guide Fanny Apostolou to USA South Rookie of the Year honors and had five players (including Apostolou) named All-USA South.  On the men's side, Pfeiffer finished 14-6 overall and 4-2 in league play.  Freshman Aissultan Mukhambetov earned USA South Rookie of the Year while four Falcons earned All-USA South awards.

In 2023-2024, Fainter guided the Falcon men's team to its second consecutive appearance in the USA South Conference Finals, finishing with a 13-5 mark in dual match play. The women's program also excelled, posting a 15-4 overall record and a 5-3 finish in USA South competition.

Under his leadership, multiple student-athletes earned conference honors. On the women's side, Fanny Apostolou (2025-26) and Caimbree Gann (2024-25)  was named USA South Rookie of the Year, while Gann and Megan Rekieta earned First Team All-Conference recognition. Haley Ingenito was recognized with Honorable Mention honors. For the men, Jayden Wellman earned USA South Rookie of the Year honors, with Benedikt Pfeiffer joining him on the All-Conference First Team. Andres Valdez-Arze was also named to the All-Conference Second Team.

Fainter also oversaw a strong 2023 campaign, highlighted by the men's team finishing as USA South Conference runners-up with a 13-8 record. The women's team opened the season with a 10-0 start and concluded the year at 14-6 overall. Dylan Masters earned First Team All-Conference honors, while Megan Rekieta, Alison Sloop, Benedikt Pfeiffer, and Bogdan Stan were named to the Second Team.

"Justin has been an outstanding leader for our tennis programs," said Jeff Childress '89, Interim Director of Athletics at Pfeiffer University. "His commitment to our student-athletes and his ability to build competitive teams have elevated both programs. We are grateful for his service and wish him continued success in his next chapter."

Fainter previously led Pfeiffer's tennis programs from July 2013 to June 2015. During that initial tenure, he guided the women's team to the 2015 Conference Carolinas Championship, marking the program's third tournament title since 1996. The women compiled a remarkable 39-6 record during that span, including a 18-2 mark in conference play.

In 2014, Fainter coached Olivia Nelms to both Conference Carolinas Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. Nelms posted a 14-3 singles record and a 20-1 doubles record, including a perfect 9-0 mark in conference action. She and teammate Taylor Lindsay earned all-conference honors.

The 2015 women's team continued that success, with Nelms, Lindsay, Valeria Mendoza, Hannah Watson, and Mylene Petitpas all earning all-conference honors. Nelms was named Conference Carolinas Tournament MVP and joined Lindsay and Petitpas on the All-Tournament Team.

On the men's side, Fainter's 2014 team finished 13-5 overall, with Loic Minery earning Conference Carolinas Player of the Year honors after compiling a 15-2 singles record. Minery and teammate Sebastian Wernecke posted a 14-3 doubles mark. Axel Woerner and Wernecke also earned all-conference recognition.

The 2015 men's team finished 15-8 overall and 7-3 in conference play, with Oscar Von Koch earning First Team All-Conference honors and Woerner named to the Second Team. Across his first tenure, the men's program posted a combined 28-13 record and a 12-6 mark in conference competition.

Following his initial coaching stint, Fainter served Pfeiffer University as Assistant Athletic Director for Transportation.

Prior to Pfeiffer, Fainter was the head women's tennis coach at Roanoke College from 2011 to 2013, where he guided 13 players to All-ODAC honors. His 2013 team set a school record with 14 wins, earned a regional ranking, and finished as runners-up in the ODAC Tournament. His efforts were recognized with ODAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year honors in 2013.

Fainter also served as head tennis coach at Harrisonburg City Schools from 2008 to 2011, winning three district championships, two regional titles, and a regional runner-up finish. He was named the VHSL Region III Coach of the Year in 2009.

"It has been an honor to serve as head coach at Pfeiffer University," said Fainter. "I am sad that my coaching at Pfeiffer will come to an end, but I am excited for my next tennis adventure.  I will always be thankful for all of the players who have been a joy to coach.  I also want to thank Rena Goolsby (volunteer assistant coach).  The past five years, we have been a great team and her contributions to the Pfeiffer tennis programs are immeasurable.  Without her, we would not have been as successful as we have been."

A search for the next leader of the Pfeiffer men's and women's tennis programs is ongoing.