Ron Hightower – Associate Head Coach Women’s Tennis

Ron Hightower joined the Corsair coaching staff in 2025 and made an immediate impact as the Corsairs qualified for the regional playoffs.

Ron had a phenomenal career as a player and coach.  He was a standout player in high school, junior tennis, college and as an ATP professional. 

High School Career

Eagle Rock High School (1973-1976)

3-time Team MVP

3-time Northern League MVP

3-time All-City Selection (1^st in school history)

Record 69-1

2025 CIF Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

Junior Career

Top 5 Southern California 12’s, 14’s and 16’s

#1 South 18’s

U.S. Nationally ranked 14’s #19,   16’s # 16,  18’s #12

College Career

University of Arkansas 1976-80

Full Scholarship

1^st Conference Champion in School History (Southwest Conference)

1^st All American in School History

2-time All American Singles and Doubles

Final Ranking: #5 NCAA Singles, #3 NCAA Doubles

All time school record: 117-16 record

Singles Champion 1980: Michelob Light Collegiate Championships (Pre-NCAA event featuring the best 32 players in the United States.

Led team to 1^st team Southwest Conference Championship (1980), Sweet 16 and Final 8 appearances.  U of A posted wins over U.S.C., SMU, Texas and, Pepperdine.

Team Captain 1980

All time winningest player in school history

University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, 2006

Professional Career

#98 career best singles ranking in ATP World ranking (1981) #80 Career best doubles ranking

Won Kyoto World Singles Title 1981 Kyoto, Japan plus 11 doubles titles

Participated in Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open & WCT Tournament of Champions

Singles and Doubles

USPTA National Singles & Doubles Champion

Played the Senior Grand Champions Tour 1998 w/ Guillermo Vilas at the Riviera Country Club

Coaching Highlights

Head Coach University of Arkansas (Men) 1984-86

Coached U of A to Top 10 and Top 8 finishes

Coached 4 All Americans

Coached Joey Blake (NCAA Indoor Champion)

Appointed U.S. Jr. Davis Cup Coach 1985-86

Coach of numerous ATP, WTA Top 100 players, ITF Juniors and #1 US National Champions

Tennis Director

Riviera Country Club 1990-2000

Porter Valley Country Club 2000-2008

Current Director/Founder: Hightower Tennis Academy and Assistant Coach Palisades Charter High School