SHAW LADY BEARS CROWNED 2010 CIAA TENNIS CHAMPIONS

SHAW LADY BEARS CROWNED 2010 CIAA TENNIS CHAMPIONS

Second consecutive women’s championship for Shaw

April 17, 2010

Petersburg, VA – The Shaw University women’s tennis team captured the 2010 CIAA Championship with a 5-2 victory against host Virginia State University on Saturday afternoon at the VSU Tennis Complex. Shaw finishes 21-4 overall and an unblemished 15-0 in the conference this season. Conference runner-up VSU wraps up the season at 18-5 overall and 13-1 in the CIAA.

Shakira Norville and Alexandria McMcray (VSU) defeated Xania Steele and Janae Williams (SU) 8-2 in No. 3 doubles play. The Lady Bears bounced back with victories in No. 1 and No. 2 doubles for a 2-1 advantage moving towards singles competition. All-CIAA selections Fernanda Silva and Livia Oliveira (SU) shut out Donna Johnson and Keshia Holmes (VSU) 8-0 at No. 1; followed by an 8-2 win at the second doubles spot by Lolia Kienka and Evan Okafor.

2010 CIAA Women's Tennis Champion Shaw University

Asia Thomas (VSU) beat out Janae Williams (SU) 6-0 in the first set and 6-2 in the second in No. 6 singles to tie the team score at 2-2. CIAA Player of the Year Lolia Kienka (SU) showcased her talents with a win (6-2, 6-1) in No.1 singles over Donna Johnson (VSU).

Shaw sealed the championship with a win by Silva against Holmes (6-1, 6-1) in No. 2 singles, followed by a victory in No. 4 singles by Okafor over Ingram (6-2, 6-1). The No. 3 and No. 5 singles matches went unfinished, but Oliveira and Steele were ahead.

The conference has elected to alter of the format of this year’s championships. Instead of individual seeding by flight, teams faced each other in a single elimination, first to five match points tournament format. Shaw won the title last season under the previous format and again this season under the new format.

The Lady Bears will receive an automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Division II Regionals. Shaw awaits the seeding and location for tournament play.