The South Carolina State University Lady Bulldogs won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women's Tennis Championship title on Sunday at the Millbrook Tennis Courts in Raleigh N.C. The title was the seventh consecutive and eighth overall for the Lady Bulldogs.
In doubles action, 2011 MEAC Women's Player of the Year Daria Sekerina and Maria Cracuin topped Howard's Katelyn Stokes and Michelle Brown, 8-4, at the number one position earning the Lady Bulldogs' first doubles victory of the day.
The number three doubles tandem of Alyssa Works and Anne Akhimien of Howard evened the score at one game apiece defeating SCSU's AKilah James and Laura Bosneag, 8-4.
Battling for the final doubles victory, Lady Bison Brittney Morgan and Brooke Hawthorne and SCSU's Shuaila Jad and Sabrina Mendez were tied eight-all. The two teams went point for point in the tiebreaker until SCSU scored the final two points to win 8-6 and clinch the final doubles point at the number two spot.
Up 1-0 heading into singles play, SCSU tallied wins at the number two and five singles positions to gain a 3-0 advantage over the Lady Bison. At the number two singles spot, SCSU's Jad defeated Howard's Morgan in two sets 6-1, 6-3. Mendez aided the Lady Bulldogs' with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Works at the number five singles position.
The Lady Bulldogs' captured the 2011 women's tournament title at the number three singles position with 2011 MEAC Rookie of the Year AKilah James defeating Michelle Brown of Howard 7-5, 6-1.
Shuaila James was named outstanding performer while head coach Hardeep Judge was name Outstanding Coach.
Jad recorded a 2-0 record at the number two singles position and a 3-0 mark in doubles play.
Judge was named the Outstanding Coach for the seventh time on the women's side
With the win, South Carolina State receives the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Women's Championship. The Division I Women's Tennis Selection Show will air May 3, 2011 at 5 p.m. on NCAA.com
For more information about MEAC Tennis, visit www.MEACsports.com
2011 Women's All-Tournament Team
Number One Doubles: Daria Sekerina and Maria Craicun, South Carolina State
Number Two Doubles: Suhaila Jad and Sabrina Mendez, South Carolina State
Number Three Doubles: Alyssa Works and Anne Akhimien, Howard
Singles:
1. Daria Sekerina, South Carolina State
2. Suhaila Jad, South Carolina State
3. AKilah James, South Carolina State
T4. Brooke Hawthorne, Howard
T4. Maria Craciun, South Carolina State
5. Sabrina Mendez, South Carolina State
6. Laura Bosneag, South Carolina State
Outstanding Performer: Suhaila Jad, South Carolina State
Outstanding Coach: Hardeep Judge, South Carolina State
Runner-Up Team: Howard University
2011 MEAC Women's Tennis Champion: South Carolina State University
South Carolina State - 4 Howard - 0