MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama A&M swept the doubles point and won three completed singles matches Sunday to defeat Alcorn, 4-0, on the final day of the second Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Tennis Pod event of the 2026 campaign hosted by Alabama State at the Olean Black Underwood Tennis Center.
With the win, Alabama A&M improved to 8-9 overall and a perfect 7-0 in conference play, while the Alcorn Braves dropped to 5-16 on the season and 2-4 in the SWAC.
The Bulldogs clinched the doubles point behind victories at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions, respectively
The tandem of Gabrielle Henderson and Sofia Sotelo Raya made quick work of Alcorn's
Katherine Grados and
Natalija Nikolic, winning 6-0 in the number two position. Melissa Mwakha and Tstitsi Mahere followed with a 6-3 win over
Oihane Villanueva Lopez and
Zoe Crimmel at the third spot.
The top doubles match, featuring
Amelia Tatafu and
Hana Bajramovic of Alcorn against Alabama A&M's Alicia Owegi and Nardine Salem, was left unfinished with the Braves freshman duo leading 5-2 after the team point had already been decided.
That competitive showing at No. 1 doubles was one of the brighter moments for the Braves on the afternoon. Tatafu and Bajramovic were in firm command of their match when play was suspended.
Singles play told a similar story for AAMU, which completed three matches for the remaining points needed to seal the victory.
Sotelo Raya was dominant at the No. 3 position, dispatching Crimmel 6-0, 6-0. Mwakha earned a 6-2, 6-4 decision over Nikolic at No. 4, and Lavynia Vieira de Sa handled Grados 6-1, 6-3 on court six to round out the Bulldogs' completed singles victories.
There were encouraging signs for Alcorn in the unfinished singles matches.
Bajramovic pushed the Bulldogs' Henderson to a tiebreak in the opening set at the second singles spot before falling 7-6 (5), and she had rallied to trail just 1-0 in the second when play concluded. At No. 1 singles, Tatafu was down 6-3, 2-1 to Owegi when the match was called, keeping herself competitive in the second set, as she was playing in the top flight for the first time all season in SWAC play. Lopez was in a difficult spot at No. 5, trailing Salem 7-5, 5-1, but her continued engagement in the match showed the Braves' commitment to competing through the final point.
The Braves wrap up the home portion of the 2026 spring schedule Thursday, April 2, as Alcorn welcomes in-state SWAC foe Mississippi Valley State to Halls Ferry Tennis Courts in Vicksburg, Mississippi. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m.
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COMPLETE RESULTS
Singles Competition
1. Alicia Owegi (AAMU) vs.
Amelia Tatafu (ALC) 6-3, 2-1, unfinished
2. Gabrielle Henderson (AAMU) vs.
Hana Bajramovic (ALC) 6-7 (7-5), 0-1, unfinished
3. Sofia Sotelo Raya (AAMU) def.
Zoe Crimmel (ALC) 6-0, 6-0
4. Melissa Mwakha (AAMU) def.
Natalija Nikolic (ALC) 6-2, 6-4
5. Nardine Salem (AAMU) vs.
Oihane Villanueva Lopez (ALC) 7-5, 5-1, unfinished
6. Lavynia Vieira de Sa (AAMU) def.
Katherine Grados (ALC) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles Competition
1. Alicia Owegi/Nardine Salem (AAMU) vs.
Amelia Tatafu/
Hana Bajramovic (ALC) 2-5, unfinished
2. Gabrielle Henderson/Sofia Sotelo Raya (AAMU) def.
Katherine Grados/
Natalija Nikolic (ALC) 6-0
3. Melissa Mwakha/Tstitsi Mahere (AAMU) def.
Oihane Villanueva Lopez/
Zoe Crimmel (ALC) 6-3
