The Lady Dogs win over West Blocton on Friday, Jan. 4, gave head basketball coach Tena Niven her 200^th career win.
“I started as the assistant coach of the girls’ team,” Niven said. “Then a year later, in 2001, I became the head coach of the team.”
Niven is one of the few coaches at Montevallo High School who has achieved as many as 200 wins in a single sport.  Despite this increasingly high amount, Niven claims it is not about the wins, but more about the school.
“The number of wins isn’t the main reason I want a victory for my girls,” Niven said.  “I feel like it’s more about bringing championships to the school than gaining wins for my personal record.”
Besides basketball, Niven has coached two other girls’ sports.  She started coaching softball in 2000, when she first started teaching at MHS.
“Coach Niven is always at practice,” senior softball player Savanna Upton said. “She always works hard to make us a better team and if we ever need anything, we can count on her.”
However, Niven will not be the head coach of the softball team this season since coach Ivey has become the new head coach.
Also, Niven has coached volleyball since 2006 and will continue to head the team next season.  In 2011, Niven lead the team to the Elite Eight in the playoff.  It is evident that Niven is a successful coach in multiple sports.
“Coach Niven is a great coach because she believes in us when we don’t believe in ourselves,” sophomore volleyball player Myshael Thompson said, “and there is never a time when she is not there for us.”
For Niven, her record is not her primary objective in high school sports; however, she would like to contend with her cousin Jenny, who holds over 600 wins and multiple state titles at North Charleston High School in South Carolina.
“I guess you could say I have somewhat of a rivalry with my cousin from South Carolina,” Niven said.