JACKSON, Miss. – The Alcorn State women's tennis team started Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on a high note, securing a 4-1 victory over Bethune-Cookman University on Friday afternoon. The Lady Braves (4-9) controlled the match from the start, dominating doubles play and clinching key singles victories to earn their first conference win of the season.
DOUBLES
Alcorn took command early, winning two of the three doubles matches to claim the first point.
Oihane Villanueva Lopez and
Nikita Liyanage delivered a 6-1 win at No. 2, while
Aanya Rao and
Doaa Mohamed matched that effort with a 6-1 victory at No. 3. The No. 1 doubles match was left unfinished due to retirement.
Order of Finish: 2, 3
SINGLES
The Lady Braves continued their strong play in singles, picking up wins on four courts to seal the victory. Mohamed was in control at No. 1 before her opponent retired, leading 6-3, 4-0 at the time. Yakubu secured a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 4, while Liyanage dominated at No. 5 with a 6-1, 6-1 victory. Rao completed the effort with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 6.
Nikolic fell at No. 2 in straight sets, while Villanueva Lopez was locked in a competitive match at No. 3 before it was left unfinished.
- #1 Doaa Mohamed (ALCORN) def. Jalayah Shaw (B-CU), 6-3, 4-0, unfinished
- #2 Zahara El Zein (B-CU) def. Natalija Nikolic (ALCORN), 6-0, 6-1
- #3 Oihane Villanueva Lopez (ALCORN) vs. Allexii Bassette (B-CU), 4-6, 4-4, unfinished
- #4 Ozi-Oiza Yakubu (ALCORN) def. Keona Burley (B-CU), 6-2, 6-3
- #5 Nikita Liyanage (ALCORN) def. Lesa Snipes-Williams (B-CU), 6-1, 6-1
- #6 Aanya Rao (ALCORN) def. Anne Cerne (B-CU), 6-0, 6-0
Order of Finish: 2, 6, 5, 4
UP NEXT
The Lady Braves will continue SWAC play on Saturday, March 8, when they take on Florida A&M University in Jackson, Miss. Match time is set for 10 a.m. CST
