WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – Niagara men’s and women’s tennis head coach Anthony Nguyen received the MAAC Anaconda Sports Coach of the Year award for both teams on Friday night at the awards banquet.

Nguyen, who is in his fifth season as the men’s coach and second as the women’s coach, spearheaded both programs into the MAAC Tournament while setting records along the way.

The Niagara men qualified for the four-team MAAC Tournament for the second straight season and have played in the tournament all five seasons under Nguyen. NU finished the regular season with a 14-9 record which tied the 2002-03 team for the second most wins in program history. The Purple Eagles reeled off an eight-match winning streak from March 7 – April 7 which tied a program-best.

Under Nguyen’s tutelage, three Purple Eagles were named to All-MAAC teams led by junior Olivier Dufour-Coursol who was named to the first team in No. 3 singles.

Nguyen’s guidance was especially needed when he inherited the women’s program at the start of the 2010-11 season. Niagara didn’t compete that season due to unforeseen circumstances. Two years removed from not fielding a team, the 2012-13 women’s team finished in a first-place tie with a 6-1 MAAC record.

The Purple Eagles concluded the regular season with a 14-7 overall record for their most wins since the 2004-05 season, while also having a six-match win streak for their longest since the 2004-05 campaign. A youthful team comprised of one senior, one freshman and six sophomores landed six members on this year’s All-MAAC First Team, headlined by Sarah Hellstern who was selected as the rookie of the year.

Nguyen’s teams have always been active in serving the local community during his tenure. This past winter, the teams led a cold-weather clothing drive with all donations going towards the St. George’s Anglican Church in Niagara Falls, N.Y. The team also volunteered at the St. George’s soup kitchen in December for the fifth straight year.