Northwest Missouri State Athletics

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In the four decades of women’s tennis at Northwest, there have only been two instances where the women’s team captured three consecutive MIAA titles.  The first stretch was in the early 1990s and the second run was completed courtesy of the dominant 2003 team. They overwhelmed their competition throughout the year on their way to a 20-6 overall record that season. In fact, of their six losses, half were by a slim 5-4 margin.
 
A convincing 5-0 victory in Maryville over Washburn for the MIAA tournament title avenged a close regular season losses to the Ichabods and secured a second trophy for the team that season. The NCAA Regional tournament also provided a familiar setting as the Bearcats defended their home court with convincing victories over North Dakota and yet another showdown with Washburn. From there it was on to the National tournament at Altamonte Springs, Florida.  A 5-2 victory over Slippery Rock put the Bearcats into the quarterfinal round before falling to the eventual national runner-up Barry University.
 
They compiled the 4^th longest winning streak in program history, reeling off 11 victories in an 18-day stretch. During this winning streak, the Bearcat women crushed opponents in a combined 77 to 10 cumulative score.  Overall, in their 20 victories during the year, 10 would come via shutout.