Nov. 16, 2009

ESPNChicago.com Feature on Nida Hamilton

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern head coach Claire Pollard has announced that Nida Hamilton has signed an NLI to join the Wildcats as a freshman in the fall of 2010. Hamilton, a two-time Illinois doubles state champion from Hinsdale Central High School, is the nation’s 17th-ranked senior recruit according to tennisrecruiting.net.

“We are thrilled to have Nida join our program,” Pollard said. “She will be an immediate contributor in singles and doubles. I have no doubt she’ll fit in great with our culture of a strong work ethic and humility.”

Hamilton was part of back-to-back undefeated doubles teams (32-0, 33-0) as a freshman and sophomore on her way to state titles before making the shift to singles in her junior season where she placed second in the state. Hamilton’s doubles team won all 14 matches at the state tournament in straight sets during their runs to the championships.

With Hamilton’s aid, Hinsdale Central won four consecutive team state titles, bringing its state-record total to 12.

Hamilton reached the quarterfinals of the state singles championship as a senior last month.

Hamilton has compiled a 47-13 singles record in Juniors play over the past year. In 2007, Hamilton won the singles title at the Girls-18 Midwest Open Championship in Columbus, Ind.

Having recently completed their 2009 fall tournament schedule, Pollard and Northwestern are preparing for the start of their spring dual season, which commences Jan. 15-17 when they host the Wildcat Invitational. Pollard, now in her 12th year at the helm in Evanston, is looking to guide NU to its 12th consecutive Big Ten championship and defend its 2009 ITA National Indoor Team title.

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