The South Carolina State women's tennis captured the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tennis Championship title at the Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Lady Bulldogs earned their sixth consecutive MEAC crown and seventh overall with a 4-1 victory over the Howard Lady Bison. South Carolina State won the number one doubles 8-1 and the number three doubles 8-4 to take the 1-0 lead. Howard came back to tie the match at one apiece with a victory at the number two singles position.
Brittney Morgan, an All-Tournament Team selection, defeated Fanni Friska 6-3,6-1 at the number two spot to aid the Lady Bison. South Carolina State rallied back with wins at the three and six positions. The Lady Bulldogs clinched the championship title with a win by Sarai Torres over Alyssa Works 7-6, 6-3 at the number four singles spot.
South Carolina State freshman Maria Craicun recorded a 3-0 mark at the number three singles position and 2-0 mark in doubles play and was named the Outstanding Performer.
Lady Bulldogs' Head Coach Hardeep Judge was named the Outstanding Coach for the sixth time on the women's side.
"We played a really talented Howard team, which had a great season. This championship win means a lot because we had so many injuries throughout the season. My girls just fought hard. We have been motivated the past couple of weeks, and were able to come out and play hard."
With the win, the Lady Bulldogs receive automatic qualifications to the NCAA Division I Women's Championship. Team selections will be announced on ESPNews on Tuesday, May 4 at 5 p.m. EST.
2010 Women's All-Tournament Team:
Number One Doubles: Daria Sekerina and Maria Craicun, South Carolina State
Number Two Doubles: Rachel Pye and Alexis Brown, Florida A&M
Number Three Doubles: Amy Chen and Sarai Torres, South Carolina State
Singles:
1. Michelle Brown, Howard
2. Brittney Morgan, Howard
3. Maria Craciun, South Carolina State
4. Sarai Torres, South Carolina State
5. Laura Bosneag, South Carolina State
6. Anne Akhimien, Howard
Outstanding Performer: Maria Craciun, South Carolina State
Runner-Up Team: Howard University
Outstanding Coach: Hardeep Judge, South Carolina State
2010 MEAC Women's Tennis Champion: South Carolina State University