Women's Bracket | Championship Central

NORFOLK, Va., April 27, 2018—Morgan State and Hampton, the two top seeds from the Northern Division, will face off for the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) women’s tennis title after a thrilling semifinal Friday at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center.
 
With the threat of weather pushing the semifinals indoors, Hampton – the No. 1 out of the Northern Division – outlasted Bethune-Cookman in a 4-3 marathon, while Northern Division No. 2 Morgan State took care of Southern Division top seed Florida A&M 4-2.
 
Hampton took the doubles point from the Wildcats, but Bethune-Cookman was strong in singles play. Rookie of the Year Rehaana Butt outlasted Yulia Kapitanova 7-6 (7-5), 7-5, while Alejandra Vidal took care of Kiah Turner 7-6, 5-7, 6-2.
 
Mariam Mitaishvili and Matea Roki played a marathon of their own in the No. 1 position, with Roki – a First Team All-MEAC honoree this season – defeating Mitaishvili 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 to tie the match at 3-3.
 
That left Haley Mullins and Phatsimo Ruele to play the deciding match, which Mullins took 6-4, 7-5.
 
Hampton will be making its second straight championship match appearance.
 
In the other semifinal, Florida A&M took the doubles point. But MEAC Player of the Year Danielle Thompson got the Lady Bears off to a fast start in singles play, winning her match 6-3, 6-0. Peggy Rooke followed with a 6-2, 6-2 win in No. 3 singles, before Alexus Gill at No. 2 singles won her match 6-3, 6-3 to give Morgan State a 3-1 lead.
 
Asmara Faluke gave the Lady Bears the clincher, winning 7-5, 6-2 in No. 6 singles.
 
Hampton and Morgan State met earlier this season on March 31, with the Lady Pirates winning 4-2.
 
Saturday’s championship final will be at 9 a.m. It will be free and open to the public.