JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven men's and women's tennis teams had tremendous seasons in 2012. Head Coach Levi Patton led both teams to success, keeping the momentum of the last four years going. The women's team received votes in the Postseason NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll and finished the season with an overall record 14-7 after losing to 9th ranked William Carey University in the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament. On the men's side, the Blazers earned an at-large berth in the NAIA National Tournament winning in the opening round against Campbellsville (KY), but were overpowered by 2nd ranked Embry-Riddle in the second round of the National Tournament.

The women's team opened the season with two shutouts over Mississippi Valley State University and Tougaloo College. The next match against NCAA Division I University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff was a good test for Belhaven who lost in a 4-3 setback. The next day, the Blazers bounced back with a 9-0 win against Louisiana College. However, in the Southern States Athletic Conference season opener against William Carey University, the Blazers lost 8-0. The following two matches against Xavier University of Louisiana and Mississippi Valley State University were also tough tests for Belhaven who lost 2-5 and 2-7.

However, the Blazers caught fire with a seven match winning streak, including two wins in SSAC West-Division matches against University of Mobile (7-2) and Spring Hill College (6-3). Belhaven then lost a pair of matches at Shorter University and Lee University who were ranked #13 and #16 respectively at that time. The Blazers closed the regular season with four wins in-a-row, including one against Loyola University (La.) that counted for the SSAC West-Division standings. In the post-season SSAC Tournament, the women's tennis team lost in the opening round against William Carey 5-0 in Montgomery, AL. This closed the Blazers' season with a 14-7 overall record in 2012.

Belhaven will have to replace some key players for the next season. Seniors Kristen Kelly who hails from Florence, MS, Mary Khristyne Young from Cocoa, FL, Mary Carole Kiewit from Laurel, MS, and graduate student Rachel Earnheart from Tunica, MS, had a major impact on the women's tennis team in their last season as a Blazers. Earnheart, Kiewit, and Young were named 2012 Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athletes for their work in the classroom. Coach Patton will be able to work with four solid returning seniors Savannah Zachry (also named scholar athletes), Natalia Krier, Indi Mire, and Shelly Munn. The Blazers will also count on a competitive group of juniors Latoya Williams, Amber Robinson, and Elizabeth Chrestman, while keep working with the stable group of sophomore as Ana Paulette Arreygue and Kelsey Shultz.

The men's tennis team had an impressive 2012 season starting with a four match winning streak. The Blazers shutout NCAA Division I Mississippi Valley State University and University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 9-0, and followed that up with victories against Loyola University and Louisiana College. The winning streak was snapped by William Carey who prevailed 1-8 in the SSAC season opener. The following week, Belhaven struggled at home against Xavier University of Louisiana losing 3-5. This would prove to be the last regular season defeat during the rest of the schedule.

The Blazers reeled off 10 straight wins beginning with another victory over Tougaloo College 9-0.  Belhaven had some key victories in SSAC play during this stretch with a 6-3 win against University of Mobile, a shutout over Spring Hill (9-0), and a victory at home against Loyola University (La.), closing the regular season with a 14-2 overall record.

The Blazers traveled in April to Montgomery, AL, for the SSAC Tournament as the 3rd seed in the conference tournament. Belhaven opened the tournament by winning the first match 5-0 against the University of Mobile, but fell in the second 5-0 against William Carey. The Blazers, who were ranked 15th in the last regular season NAIA Top 25 coaches' poll earned an at-large berth in the NAIA National Tournament, May 15-19 at the Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, AL.

Belhaven ended their 2012 campaign going 1-1 in the tournament. The Blazers overtook Campbellsvile University (KY) in the opening round before falling to Embry-Riddle University (FL) in the second round. The Blazers closed the season ranked 15th in the NAIA Coaches' Postseason Top 25 Poll with a 16-4 overall record.

Belhaven was led by Junior Jefferson Nino who was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. Nino, a freshman who hails from Bogota, Columbia, was unbeaten in singles play at 17-0 and went 16-3 in doubles competition. Nino was also a Second Team SSAC All-Conference selection in 2012. Other key players for the men's team were graduate student Gabriel Prado from Morelia, Mexico, freshmen Daniel Duarte, David Mejia, and junior Nicolas Osorio all from Bogota Colombia, and freshman Daniel Prado from Morelia, Mexico. With Gabriel Prado, the Blazers lose two other seniors in Elliott Clark from Meridian, MS, and Trey Woods from Tunica, MS, who all contributed to the improvement of the program.

Belhaven had five players named 2012 Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athletes. Junior Robby Wright, junior Blake Hilgenkamp, senior Trey Woods, junior Jonathan West, and senior Elliott Clark were all recognized for their work in the classroom.