In two years at KU, Garrity, a former North Carolina State standout player and coach, compiled a 26-25 overall record and an 11-9 mark in Big 12 matches.

“There are definitely mixed emotions. Everybody at the University of Kansas I couldn’t have dreamed how wonderful they’d be,” Garrity said. “This is strictly a family decision. North Carolina is home for Jimmy (husband, who has accepted job with UNC Wilmington’s Seahawk Club). He’s never lived anywhere else. We both love it there. The timing is not exactly terrific, but I know it’s the right move for our family.”

Garrity leaves KU’s program in good shape. She has four incoming recruits to go with six returning players, including projected No. 1 Monica Sekulov.

“I’m proud of our recruiting class. I think they’ll be extremely successful here and will love KU like we all do,” said Garrity, who grew up in Moorestown, N.J. “The future is extremely bright. When I took over, they lost their Nos. 1, 2 and 4 players. I knew it would take a couple of years to bounce back from that. Now with the underclassmen from this year’s team and the players coming in I think the new coach will have a lot of talented players to work with to get back in the top 20.”

The new coach also may benefit from an improved facility. Plans are finalized to repave the six Robinson Center courts near Watkins Health Center.

Garrity is equally enthused about UNC Wilmington’s future.

The school is an NCAA Div. I program in the Colonial Athletic Association.

“They were second-to-last in the conference this season. There’s a lot of room to grow,” Garrity said. “I plan to help my players break a lot of records there and be as successful as they can be.”

One of Garrity’s most rewarding moments here was coaching her sister, Kris Sell, two seasons ago. Sell was named Big 12 Player of the Year. Over the weekend, Sell announced her engagement to former Jayhawk basketball player C.B. McGrath.

“It was neat to be here when she had her senior year,” Garrity said. “She made the huge jump from No. 3 to 1, which is a huge jump on this level. She handled it well.”