NEW ORLEANS | Though the Alabama A&M women's tennis team clinched the doubles point, they were unable to overcome the No. 1 seed Jackson State Tigers in the singles session and ultimately fell 4-3 in the 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference Semifinals to conclude their season.
The Bulldog duo of Naomi Blanks and Ntokozo Zungu claimed a quick 6-2 win over Zofia Dziewiecka and Daniella Tovar on court three. Shortly thereafter, Yana Dhamija and Alicia Owegi clinched the doiubles point for AAMU after defeating Zeina Shaaban and Paula Corbalan 7-5 on court one.
All-SWAC Second Team awardee Sofia Sotelo Raya completed her undefeated conference swing by knocking off Dziewiecka in bakery sets (6-1, 6-0) on court five to put the Bulldogs up two. JSU managed to take the lead after picking up wins on courts six, two and one. Gabrielle Henderson leveled the contest after defeating Isabela Benavides 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 on court four. The match came down to the middle court, which was sent into a third set after Valentine Abide Talaki dropped the first set but claimed a breadstick win in the second. The Tigers ultimately emerged victorious, clinching the slim 4-3 win to face Florida A&M in the Championship match on Sunday.
MATCH RESULTS
Jackson State 4, Alabama A&M 3
Singles competition
1. Zeina Shaaban (JSUW) def. Ntokozo Zungu (AAMUW) 6-3, 6-4
2. Paula Corbalan (JSUW) def. Alicia Owegi (AAMUW) 7-5, 6-1
3. Kayleigh Didderiens (JSUW) def. Valentine A. Talaki (AAMUW) 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2
4. Gabrielle Henderson (AAMUW) def. Isabela Benavides (JSUW) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
5. Sofia Sotelo Raya (AAMUW) def. Zofia Dziewiecka (JSUW) 6-1, 6-0
6. Chiara Desia (JSUW) def. Hannah Nagpall (AAMUW) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Yana Dhamija/Alicia Owegi (AAMUW) def. Zeina Shaaban/Paula Corbalan (JSUW) 7-5
2. Kayleigh Didderiens/Isabela Benavides (JSUW) vs. Gabrielle Henderson/Sofia Sotelo Raya (AAMUW) 6-5, unfinished
3. Naomi Blanks/Ntokozo Zungu (AAMUW) def. Zofia Dziewiecka/Daniella Tovar (JSUW) 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (5,6,2,1,4,3)
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