Isriz Balase joined the North Central College staff prior to the 2017-18 season as a graduate assistant coach for the Cardinals' men's and women's tennis programs.
Balase played collegiately at Judson University for three years after transferring from Lewis University, serving as team captain his junior and senior seasons. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Theological Studies in 2015, and served as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater for the 2016 season.
While at Judson, Balase played at No. 2 and 3 singles and No. 1 doubles, posting 62 wins for his career. During his senior season, he led his team to the NCCAA National Championship in 2015. He also received the Game Plan 4 Life Award, distributed by the NCCAA and its coaches.
Prior to Balase’s collegiate career, he played in USTA Chicago District, Midwest, and National tournaments, while also playing No. 1 singles for Schaumburg High School all four years. He holds the most wins at his high school with 132 victories, while qualifying for the IHSA State Tournament three times.
His previous coaching experience includes serving as a Tennis Professional at Schaumburg Tennis Plus and Prairie Stone Sports & Wellness Center. Balase also served as a summer camp counsellor at Carmel Valley Tennis Camp, before going full-time as a USPTA Certified Tennis Professional for Peter Burwash International. With PBI, he served at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, which ranks as a top-five tennis resort annually. Balase then became the Tennis Director at the Napa Valley Tennis Association.
He graduated from North Central with a master's degree in leadership studies with an emphasis in sports leadership in 2019, and stayed on the staff as a vounteer assistant coach.
