PETERSBURG, VA- The Chowan University women's tennis team picked up a CIAA victory on Thursday afternoon with a 6-3 victory against Virginia State University.  The Hawks advance to 8-4 overall and 5-0 in the league with the win while the Lady Trojans move to 6-2 overall and 5-1 against CIAA competition after the setback. 
 
Doubles duos Natalya Kamenshchikova/Victoria Smolchenkova and Polina Novachuk and Jessica De Backre earned victories in the number one and two doubles positions, respectively. Straffai Cleveland and Natalia Andrade dropped a narrow 8-6 decision in the number three position. 
 
In singles play, the Hawks picked up four victories to secure the 6-3 win.  Kamenshchikova defeated Zaire Simmons 6-1, 6-1 in the number one position while Novachuck topped Monet Graves 6-2, 6-1.  In the third position, Smolchenkova edged Nakesha Harry 6-3, 6-2 and Andrade handed Majhanae Thomas a 6-4, 6-3 setback in the number five spot.  De Backre fell to Sharmane Tonkins in tiebreaker play in the number four position while Cleveland dropped a 6-2, 6-1 decision to Tamisha Richardson in the sixth position.
 
The Hawks return to action on Friday when they host Bowie State University.  First serve is slated for 1:00pm.