KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After playing as part of a variety of unaffiliated groupings through the first eight years of their existence, William Woods University's men's and women's tennis teams will finally have a conference home as the Heart of America Athletic Conference announced the addition of the sports to its championship roster. The sports become the 28th and 29th championship sports under the Heart umbrella.

"I am very excited about William Woods tennis being a part of the Heart," said head coach Abigail Lemberger Hughes. "To be able to have a place we can call home is something we haven't fully had before. We are excited to be a member of such a strong conference and are looking forward to competing for a Heart championship!"

William Woods, set to join the Heart as a full member for the 2025-26 school year along with current AMC foe Missouri Baptist, joins current Heart members Baker University, Grand View University and Missouri Valley College as charter members of the tennis championship roster, with Sooner Athletic Conference schools John Brown University and Texas Wesleyan University competing as affiliate members of the Heart for men's and women's tennis.

"We're thrilled to welcome men's and women's tennis to our conference," stated Commissioner Nik Rule. "Our commitment is to provide an exceptional experience and a dedicated home for the sport. This initiative will greatly benefit the student-athletes across all member schools, giving us the opportunity to lead the celebration of the sport and its many achievements by those competing."

With seven members competing in both men's and women's tennis, the Heart is guaranteed a single automatic berth in the NAIA National Championship.