When Enzo Garutti entered the transfer portal, he did so with a strong track record at Augusta University, where he earned all-conference honors, played No.1 singles, and helped lead his team to postseason runs. But after three years, he felt ready for a bigger challenge at the DI level.

"My dream was always to play DI tennis," Garutti said. "I've always been eager to improve, so I decided to give it a shot for my last year. I was looking for a school with good academics but also a stronger athletic program."

Coastal Carolina offered that opportunity.

Head coach Chris Powers said it didn't take long to see that Garutti was the right fit.

"Enzo stood out right away," Powers said. "He had been playing number one, he had success, and he was hungry to step up to DI. On top of that, his character was excellent. I knew he was the right guy."

For Garutti, the move meant leaving a place where he was already the established leader and joining a roster full of players capable of pushing him every day.

"I was kind of the big fish in the aquarium before," he said. "Here, everyone has a really good level. I needed that. I needed to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself every day."

The transition has been smooth, with Garutti posting an impressive fall record—6–3 in singles and 4–2 in doubles—quickly proving he belongs.

"He has adjusted just fine," Powers said. "He has been a good example for the rest of the guys in terms of his work ethic and approach. He knows he only has one year left and the clock is ticking, so every day he works hard. He is very professional."

Powers said Garutti's competitiveness stands out immediately.

"He is a fighter on the court," Powers said. "He has come in and been a fighter for the team, and he has had some big wins so far." Notably, he was the lone Chanticleer to qualify for the ITA Regionals main draw.

Garutti has also blended into the team's personality, with his teammates already giving him a nickname.

"They call me Showtime most of the time," Garutti said. "I like to play aggressive and create new tricks or special plays. That is just my style."

Powers laughed when the nickname came up.

"I do not call him Showtime," he said. "I don't know where that came from."

On the court, Garutti describes his game as flat, forward-moving, and attacking. "My main skill is how I behave on the court," he said. "I keep a very positive mindset and don't let any bad points or bad situations put me down."

Off the court, Powers said he carries himself with purpose.

"He knows what he wants," Powers said. "He is an excellent student. He has only been here one semester, but he has fallen right in line with our tradition of being the top GPA among the male sports here at Coastal."

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Garutti's aspirations align perfectly with the team's mindset.

"One of my goals is to win the conference," he said. "I want to see how much I can improve and what level I can get to. It would be amazing because it is my last year."

Powers said the team shares that same ambition.

"This group has lofty goals," he said. "They want to make the finals of the conference tournament, and I think they can get it done if they keep working hard and stay with their plan."

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