Courtesy of Howard University Athletic Media Relations


EMMITSBURG, Md., Sept. 12, 2021 – Howard University senior Sloane Williams and freshman Nadia Pegram won the 2021 Mountaineer Invitational, defeating teammates senior Kendall Addison, junior Alexandra Blackwell and newcomer Sifa Butcher in the championship match, 3-0.

The three-day event took place on the campus of Mount St. Mary's University.
 
"This is a great way to open our fall season," Director of Tennis Nicholas Askew said. "For two of our teams to reach the championship match, that's a big step. Congrats to Sloane and Nadia on winning the tournament. Looking forward to keeping the momentum going."
 
DAY 1
In the preliminary round, Addison, Blackwell and Butcher dominated Duquesne's (DU) Natasha Novak and Priyanka Mitta, 3-0, while Pregram and Williams cruised past the Mount's Caroline Lynch and Stephanie Huseby in the prelims, 3-0.
 
DAY 2
In the Round of 16, Pregram and Williams took down George Mason's Paige La, Hannah Yang and Ashley Fitz-Patrick, 2-1.
 
Butcher and Addison rallied to knock off the Mount's Amber Policare and Shirley Liang in singles competition during the Round of 16.
 
Junior Emnet Simunyola and rookie Jordan Grayson moved on to the quarterfinals after downing the Patriots' Brianna Gibbs and Lauren Splett, 2-1.
 
In the quarterfinals, Pegram and Williams defeated DU's Daniela Latoni and Ana Utrilla Benito, 2-1, while Addison, Blackwell and Butcher swept Mason's Grace Hashiguchi and Emily Wirt, 3-0.
 
Grayson and Simunyola advanced to the semifinals, edging out Duquesne's Ellen Shanahan and Blanca Benet Garcia, 2-1.
 
DAY 3
In the semifinal round, Pregam and Williams came back and defeated Saint Francis' Vinces and Prujiboom, 2-1, while Addison, Blackwell and Butcher swept fellow Bison Grayson and Simunyola, 3-0.