Contact:
Terry Spicer
Asst. AD for Sports Media & Athletic Relations/SWA
(919) 719-1999
tspicer@shawu.edu

Shaw Women's Tennis Claims 2009 CIAA Crown

Petersburg, VA - (April 18, 2009) The Lady Bears of Shaw University won the 2009 CIAA Women’s Tennis Championship title by one point over host Virginia State University Saturday afternoon on the VSU Tennis Courts. Both schools had tallied 50 team points with the number four singles position set to determine the champion. Both the Men and Women's teams of Shaw University were named 2009 Champions! Women's results are listed below.

History was made on the courts as the first brother and sister team in the history of the University both received championship titles. A dynamic duo, Lolia Kienka and her brother Kalada embraced in victorious excitement and appreciation for the history that they had made.
Xania Steele (Shaw) defeated Tamilia Hicks (VSU) in three sets to give Shaw 58 team points and the CIAA crown. Virginia State finished second with 57 team points. Bowie State had an impressive showing with 51 team points for third place.
Sunday Enitan, Head Tennis Coach, joined the team to receive the coveted Champion plaque. He said, "This team continues to play at the highest level and it has been a joy to work with each of them. We set our goals early on and the realization of them is fulfilling and amazing."
The Shaw Family congratulates the 2009 CIAA Men's Tennis Champions. Dr. Clarence G. Newsome, President, stated, "The Tennis program at Shaw University is the best in the Conference and we are honored to have the outstanding student-athletes that have excelled on the courts and in the classroom. The Men's Team continues to mount their historic University and conference legacy and we are thrilled at their performance this season and in this year's Championship Tournament. We congratulate Coach Sunday and the men and women's teams; both 2009 CIAA Tennis Champions for their accomplishments."

The championship final results are as follows:
Singles flight No. 1 -- Championships
Cameron Chatman (Johnson C. Smith) def. Ines Nieves (Fayetteville State) – (6-1, 6-1)

Singles flight No. 2 -- Championships
Lolia Kienka (Shaw) def. Kristan Tapassi (Fayetteville State) – (6-1, 6-0)

Singles flight No. 3 -- Championships
Evan Okafor (Shaw) def. Kendra Plummer (Virginia State) – (6-1, 6-1)

Singles flight No. 4 -- Championships
Xania Steele (Shaw) def. Tamilia Hicks (Virginia State) – (6-4, 4-6, 6-4)

Singles flight No. 5 -- Championship
Jessica Bond (Bowie State) def. Lakevia Ingram (Virginia State) – (6-4, 6-3)

Singles flight No. 6 -- Championships
Ashley Foster (Virginia State) def. Phyllis King (Elizabeth City State) – (6-0, 6-1)

Doubles Flight No. 1 -- Championship
Lolia Kienka and Fernanda Silva (Shaw) def. Cameron Chatman and Jae Hargett (Johnson C. Smith) – (8-3)

Doubles Flight No. 2 -- Championship
Evan Okafor and Xania Steele (Shaw) def. Tamilia Hicks and Kendra Plummer (Virginia State) – (8-2)

Doubles Flight No. 3 -- Championship
Ashley Foster and Lakevia Ingram (Virginia State) def. Tyra Breaux and Melissa Shuler (Johnson C. Smith) – (8-2)