PETERSBURG, VA – The Chowan Hawks claimed their first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Tennis Championship in school history when they took a dominating 5-0 win over the host Virginia State Lady Trojans at the Virginia State University Tennis Complex on the campus of Virginia State University.
 
"It was a fantastic effort by the entire team, today," Chowan head coach Chris Stambaugh said. "We've really improved throughout this season and over the past few years."
 
The Hawks wasted little time in taking control of the match when they took all three doubles wins. Natalya Kamenshchikova and Holly Stambaugh kicked things off with an impressive 8-2 win at #1 doubles, followed by an 8-4 win by Jessica De Backre and Jennifer Humphrey at #3 doubles. The duo of Natalia Andrade and Breanne Johnson took an 8-6 win.
 
In singles play, Johnson scored the fourth point for the Hawks when she won #2 singles with a 6-0 win and a win by retirement. It was Straffai Cleveland who closed out the win and the championship when she took a 6-0, 6-0 win at #6 singles.  Holly Stambuagh earned CIAA Most Valuable Player honors after finishing all of her matches in the tournament with an undefeated record.  
 
The win brought the first women's tennis championship in school history for the Hawks. However, Stambaugh sees the win being the start of larger goals for the program. "We opened the door, today and we're here," Stambaugh added. "We've laid the groundwork for a successful future here today."
 
With the win, the Hawks will represent the CIAA in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament.