SHAW SET TO TRY FOR WOMEN’S TENNIS REPEAT – WILL FACE VSU IN CIAA FINALS

SHAW SET TO TRY FOR WOMEN’S TENNIS REPEAT – WILL FACE VSU IN CIAA FINALS

April 16, 2010

Petersburg, VA – Shaw positioned itself to defend its CIAA Women’s Tennis Championship by defeating Bowie State 5-1.  They will face Virginia State in the championship game at 10:00 am Saturday.  VSU made the finals by defeating Johnson C. Smith 5-0.

After doubles play in the first match of the day, the Lady Bears held a 2-1 lead over BSU. Livia Oliveira and Fernanda Silva (SU) defeated Danielle Fields and Lydia Mahon (BSU) 8-2 in the No. 1 doubles slot. Lolia Kienka and Evan Okafor (SU) helped extend the advantage with an 8-1 victory over Kyara Lombre and Chelyce Fields (BSU) at the No. 2 doubles position. Irene-Gail Orozco and Jasmine McNair countered for the Lady Bulldogs with an 8-3 win against Xania Steele and Janae Williams (SU).

In singles play, Shaw sealed the match with victories at the number one, two, and three positions. Kienka topped Fields (6-1, 6-1) at the No. 1 spot, Silva blanked Mahon (6-0, 6-0) at the No. 2 position, followed by Oliveira beating Lombre (6-0, 6-2) at the No. 3 singles slot.

Shaw defeated Virginia State 7-2 during the regular season.  Last year, the Lady Bears won the championship based on scores derived from a flighted individual tournament.  This year, the championship is being done in a bracketed team format.

Though tightly contested, Virginia State shut out JCSU in all three doubles matches. In No. 1 doubles, Donna Johnson and Keshia Holmes (VSU) surpassed Jae Hargett and Samantha Barnes (JCSU) 8-5. Tamilia Hicks and Lakevia Ingram (VSU) defeated Rolanda Sue and Margaret Jones (JCSU) 8-5 in the second doubles match. In No. 3 doubles play, Camille Allen and Tyra Breaux (JCSU) fell to Alexandria McMcray and Shakira Norville (VSU) 8-4.

With a 3-0 lead heading into singles competition, VSU closed out the contest with wins at No. 1 and No. 6 play. Johnson beat Barnes (6-2, 6-1) at the number one spot and Thomas was victorious against Breaux (6-4, 6-4) in No. 6 singles.

Shaw and Virginia State will compete for the 2010 CIAA Women’s Tennis crown on Saturday, April 17th at 10:00 am inside the VSU Tennis Complex.