ETTRICK, VA– The top seeds and the weather were all dominant factors on the opening day of the 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women’s Tennis Championship Tournament, Friday at the Virginia State University Tennis Courts.
The first match of the day saw the overall top seeded Shaw Lady Bears cruise to a 4-0 win in the match. On Friday, the Lady Bears reached the CIAA finals after defeating Elizabeth City State 4-0 in the quarterfinals and Winston-Salem State 4-0 in the semifinals at the Virginia State Tennis Complex. A victory would give the Lady Bears their fifth straight CIAA title and 12th overall under Head Coach Sunday Enitan, who was named CIAA Women's Tennis Coach of the Year earlier Friday.
The second match of the day was a bit more competitive, the Rams defeated Bowie State, 4-3.
Bowie State held a 1-0 lead after the conclusion of doubles play. In singles, the Bulldogs won at the No. 2 position by the scores of 7-5, 6-0 and No. 3 slot tabbed a 7-5, 6-2 win. Winston-Salem State accounted for victories at positions 4-6. The match winning point came down to the wire in three set decision at the No. 1 singles. They battled for a 6-4, 5-7 match but ultimately fell in the court of the Rams, 7-6 in the third set as they advanced to the semifinals.
The third match The Golden Bulls reached the CIAA semifinals after defeating Livingstone 4-0 in the quarterfinals. Johnson C. Smith advanced to play No.2 seed Virginia State in the semifinals. The semifinals match was the hardest fought one as second-seeded Virginia State Trojans fell short 4-2 to claim the singles point.
The fourth match No.2 seed Virginia State swept Virginia Union 4-0. Led under the leadership of Chavez Mabry, the Trojans went 6-2, 6-0 in doubles while sweeping singles 6-0, 6-0. The Trojans advanced to the semifinals round to play Johnson C. Smith.
The 2023 CIAA Women’s Tennis Championship Tournament will continue tomorrow Saturday, April 22 at the Virginia State University Tennis Courts.
For more information on the 2023 CIAA Women’s Tennis Championship Tournament, log on to www.TheCIAA.com.