Tucson sports icon Mary Hines dies at 93

Hines, who won the 1947 state doubles tennis championship while in high school in Tucson, went on to be a UA winner in softball and swimming. In 1979 she was elected to the Arizona Softball Hall of Fame and in 1987 was inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Fame.

But Hines’ identity became that of a coach and mentor during a three-decade teaching career at Catalina High School. She coached the Trojans women’s volleyball team to the 1972 and 1983 state championships and reached the state title game four more times.

In 1985, she was named National High School Volleyball Coach of the Year. She coached Catalina to a career high of 215-27.

After retiring from coaching, Hines became a prolific golfer, shooting at her age, 86, at Silverbell Golf Course. She won a gold medal at the US Senior Olympics in 2016, winning both the shot put and the softball throw in the 70+ category at the age of 86.

A memorial service is pending.