April 22, 2007

Alexandria, La. - Alabama A&M captured its first SWAC championship in women's tennis Sunday as the Bulldogs easily defeated Prairie View A&M in the championship match. With the win, the Bulldogs also earn the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Pairings for the NCAA Tournament will be announced Tuesday, May 1 with the first round being played on campus sites on May 11 or 12.

Me'Shala Johnson rounded out an outstanding run through the SWAC Tournament with a 6-3, 6-3 victory in the singles competition, and combined with Brittany Jelks for an 8-3 win doubles play.  Johnson was named the tournament's most outstanding player.  Batsi Bvunzawabaya and Charlene Tsangamwe also made the all-tournament team after moving their number one doubles record to 16-1 on the season with an 8-5 victory in the title match.

Alabama A&M moves its overall record to 15-3 and will await its NCAA Tournament pairing next week.

Alabama A&M 4, Prairie View A&M 0

Singles competition

1. Tsangamwe, Charlene (AAMU) vs. BROWN,Melanie (PVAM) 4-6, 6-4, 2-0, unfinished

2. Pinder, Shaniek (AAMU) def. MAJORS,Antoinette (PVAM) 6-2, 6-2

3. Jones, Monique (AAMU) def. DAWKINS,Marika (PVAM) 6-3, 7-5

4. Johnson, Me'Shala (AAMU) def. CULMER,Candace (PVAM) 6-3, 6-3

5. Bvunzawabaya, Batsi (AAMU) vs. BANKS,Margaret (PVAM) 3-2, unfinished

6. Jelks, Brittany (AAMU) vs. WHITTINGHAM,Camille (PVAM) 1-0, unfinished

Doubles competition

1. Tsangamwe, Charlene / Bvunzawabaya, Batsi (AAMU) def. DAWKINS,Marika/MAJORS,Antoinette (PVAM) 8-5

2. Jones, Monique / Pinder, Shaniek (AAMU) vs. BROWN,Melanie/SIMPSON,Bianca (PVAM) 7-6, unfinished

3. Jelks, Brittany / Johnson, Me'Shala (AAMU) def. BANKS,Margaret/CULMER,Candace (PVAM) 8-3