Tennis competes at MIAA championshipAllen CollinsTNE Contributing Writer

Roxann James/Contributing Photographer Houda Bellamine, Casablanca, Morocco, senior (left), and Maria Lodge, Warri, Delta, Nigeria freshman (above), compete on the NSU tennis team. The team will compete in the MIAA tournament beginning April 25-27.

The NSU tennis team won a share of the 2014 MIAA regular season championship by defeating Lindenwood 9-0. The No. 31 ranked RiverHawks have amassed a 19-4 overall record and a 9-1 MIAA conference record. This accolade did not come easy for NSU, though it was a goal of the team.“I think we all worked really hard,” said Kate Nesbitt, Rolla, Mo., sophomore. “It’s something that’s been a goal for the whole season, so it was great to accomplish.” The RiverHawks are riding a 14-game winning streak going into the MIAA conference tournament. “It’s an amazing honor for a coach to bring the conference championship to NSU,” said Amanda Stone, tennis head coach. “As for the team, I think it’s an important step for the program.”

The team has battled injuries throughout the year, but now with the squad back at full strength, they are putting all the right pieces together, said Stone.“We have definitely taken some lumps this year,” said Stone. “We've been two players down almost the whole season.” The team has is not satisfied yet, they look to add more awards and accomplishments to this season in the MIAA and NCAA tournament.“We have high expectations, but it’s not going to be easy,” said Nesbitt. “We have a week or so to really work hard in practice and prepare for regionals.”Stone said the RiverHawks tennis team is not looking too far ahead in the MIAA tournament because there are no givens. “We'll go into the tournament and take it one match at a time,” said Stone. “We proved last match that every line in singles could go either way. We open with Washburn, then UCO or Emporia, and if the seeding wins out on both sides, we will face SBU in the finals. It will be another big match, and the outcome has the possibility of really shaking up the NCAA regional rankings.”The final NCAA rankings are released after the MIAA tournament, so playing well could have its benefits. “We will wait and see where we end up, but regardless of position, all we can do is play our best,” said Stone. “While the rankings don't currently reflect it, we are one of the top two teams in the region, so if we come to play no matter where we are, it should take care of itself.”The tennis team will play in the MIAA tournament April 25-27, in Springfield, Mo., at the Cooper Tennis Complex. The women’s Division II tennis tournament takes place May 14-17, at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.