The South Carolina State Lady Bulldog women's tennis team  added another prestigious accolade to their accomplishments this season, with four players earning national ranking by the ITA (International Tennis Association), this week.

Seniors Suhaila Jad and Sabrina Mendez, junior Maria Craciun, and sophomore AKilah James all received national recognition of making the ranks of the top 125 women's tennis players in the country.

"It has been a historic year for South Carolina State tennis," said head coach Hardeep Judge. "To have four players nationally ranked is powerful and it just adds to the legacy of Lady Bulldog tennis."

Jad, Mendez, and Craciun are all currently in a three-way tie ranked at #123, while James is ranked at #125 in the national rankings.  Jad, a native of Spain, leads the class this season, after being named 2012 MEAC Women's Tennis Player of the Year. She also earned her second All-Tournament honors after finishing 15-2 in singles, and 16-0 in doubles leading SC State to their eighth straight crown.

Mendez, also a native of Spain was the only player in South Carolina State history to finish her singles career undefeated at 35-0 in two seasons. She teamed up with fellow teammate Jad in doubles to finish the season at 16-0, while earning a 19-0 mark in singles play.  A First-Team All-MEAC performer in both her seasons as a Lady Bulldog, Mendez also received All-tournament honors each year.

Craciun, a native of Romania, earned All-MEAC honors all three seasons as a Lady Bulldog. She recently received All-Tournament accolades this season helping lead SC State to three league titles during her career.  This season she finished 15-0 at singles, while earning a 12-1 doubles record.

James a native of New York, and the 2011 MEAC Women's Tennis Rookie of the Year, finished the season 16-1 at singles, while posting a 13-1 doubles record.  She earned All-Tournament honors along with helping SC State finish the season in dominating fashion at 19-0, the best finish in school history.

The South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs coached by Hardeep Judge, the 2012 MEAC Coach of the Year, will make their eighth straight NCAA Championship appearance May 11-13.

Judge stated, "Having three players go undefeated in singles and a doubles team go undefeated is tremendous.  The foundation is set here with us winning our 8th straight MEAC title and the women not losing a conference match in eight years."

For the complete story, visit www.scsuathletics.com