Bethune-Cookman Wins MEAC Division Title with win over Florida A&M

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman took two significant victories Saturday as the Lady Wildcats downed Florida A&M 5-2 and Jackson State 4-0.

With the win over the Rattlers, Bethune-Cookman (17-9 overall, 6-0 MEAC) claimed the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division regular season title and a number one seed in the conference tournament later this month.

Jackson State (8-12) is the number one seed in the Southwest Athletic Conference number.

After securing the doubles point against the Rattlers (5-11,4-2), B-CU got wins from Gaby Chinchilla, Mina Matsuba and Chinatsu Kajiwara in singles to clinch the match. Elizabeth Nwenye added the Lady Wildcats’ fifth point.  

Chinchilla, Maria Sablina and Maria Dimitrova posted the Lady Wildcats’ wins against Jackson State.

Matsuba’s singles victory was her 20th of the season, making her the first B-CU to post a 20-win singles season since Monika Musilova and Kiara Powell won 22 and 21, respectively in 2007.

B-CU concludes the regular season next Saturday at home against Northern Kentucky.

On the men’s side, Florida A&M (9-11,2-2) downed Bethune-Cookman (4-18,1-3) 4-3, clinching the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division third seed.

For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.famuathletics.com

NSU Claims 6-1 Victory Over James Madison

RICHMOND, Va. – The Norfolk State men’s tennis team defeated James Madison, 6-1, on Saturday afternoon for its first victory against the Dukes in school history.

The win improves NSU’s record to 10-6 on the season, while JMU falls to 6-10 overall.

The Spartans went 2-1 in doubles play. Dzmitry Zyhmantovich teamed up with Peter Ramstromer-Pello at the No. 1 spot, where they posted an 8-7(3) win over Miljan Ruzic and Robert Stirling. Zyhmantovich and Ramstromer-Pello are now 6-4 on the season in doubles competition. Robin Riethmueller and Igor Braga competed at the No. 2 spot, where they upended Alex Berdnikoff and Brett Moorhead, 8-5. Riethmueller and Braga are also 6-4 overall in doubles play. JMU’s lone win in doubles came at the No. 3 position. Sebastian Salinas and Maxi Branth defeated Pascal Domnik and Daniel Grauel, 8-6.

Zyhmantovich led off the singles competition with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Stirling to improve to 12-3 for the season. Domnik competed at the No. 2 spot, where he posted a 4-6, 7-6(5), 1-0(5) victory against Salinas. In the No. 3 position, Riethmueller claimed a 6-1, 6-2 over Branth. Ramstromer-Pello improved his singles record to 10-5 on the season as he defeated Ruzic, 7-6(4), 1-6, 1-0(9) at the No. 5 slot. Grauel competed at the No. 6 position, where he claimed a 6-1, 6-0 win over Niels Kathol. NSU’s only loss came at the No. 4 spot. Braga fell to Moorhead, 6-4, 6-3.

NSU will head to Farmville, Va., on Tuesday to take on Longwood. Play begins at 1:30 p.m. at Lancer Courts.

For complete story, visit www.spartans.com