Liberty Flames Tennis transfer student-athlete owns the court

The majority of transfer student-athletes are designated to a transition period of time to adjust to their new surroundings and learn about their new team and environment.

Liberty Flames men’s tennis phenomenon Nicaise Muamba is not like most transfer students.

Transferring to Liberty University after one year at the University of Tennessee, Muamba has developed into a difference-maker for the Flames this season, with a 21-11 record in singles and 16-9 personal mark in doubles. 

“(Muamba) sets a great example and raises the bar for everyone on a daily basis,” Liberty Head Coach Derek Schwandt said. “At practice (and) in the matches, he’s the guy that’s focused and playing disciplined and bringing the energy every day.”

Muamba, a sophomore, captured his fourth player-of-the-week award from the ASUN Conference March 20. He recently received a national ranking of 101st among all men’s singles players, which is highest in the conference.

“I’m just going week by week, trying to focus on every match we have and trying to do my best in every match we have,” Muamba said.

As the regular season for tennis begins winding down, Schwandt and the Flames (8-9, 2-0 in conference play) have set their sights on securing a berth in the NCAA Singles Tournament for Muamba and an NCAA tournament appearance for the team.

Muamba would obtain an invitation to the singles tournament if he maintained his spot atop the conference, while the entire team would gain entrance into the NCAA Tournament if they won the ASUN Men’s Tennis Championships taking place in DeLand, Florida, April 18-20.

For both the individual and the team to reach their goals, Schwandt said Muamba and Liberty must heed the two primary focuses the coaching staff has emphasized this season.

“There’s two areas that we work on … discipline and being a great teammate,” Schwandt said. “Nicaise is our leader in both of those areas. I just want to see him continue to lead in those areas.”

Muamba said he wants to build his discipline, as well as continue his improvement in taking care of his body and creating healthy habits off the court, among other things.

“On the court, (my goal is) going out there and trying to have fun,” Muamba said. “That’s why I started playing the game — because I love it.” 

Playing tennis with a sense of joy, passion and excitement because of love for the game describes not only Muamba, but it also embodies his regular doubles’ teammate, junior Chase Burton.  

The duo have won 11 of 17 games together.

“Almost every time we have good energy, so we always bring it,” Muamba said. “It’s been really fun playing with Chase. He’s a great guy, he’s a great leader (and) he’s one of our captains, so it’s been really fun.”

The camaraderie Muamba has felt with Burton mirrors the larger sense of team chemistry Muamba has enjoyed at Liberty.

While there were multiple factors in Muamba deciding to leave Tennessee, he pointed to the atmosphere of Liberty as a primary reason for leaving his previous school. 

“It’s been really great being on the team with all these guys,” Muamba said. “We all appreciate each other and we’re like a family. … Every sport is pretty close to each other, so it’s kind of a big family.”

The adjustment in joining the Flames family after starting elsewhere turned out to not be very difficult for Muamba. He is thriving at Liberty and striving to continue his tremendous influence on the team.

“I feel like he was supposed to be here,” Schwandt said. “The Lord brought him here, and he’s been great.”