MURFREESBORO – The Chowan University women's tennis team picked up a critical CIAA victory on Saturday afternoon with a 7-2 win over Shaw University.  The Hawks improve to 10-4 on the season with the win and 7-0 in league play with the win.  The Lady Bears slide to 7-2 on the season and 5-1 against CIAA competition with the setback. 

In doubles play, the Hawks swept the Lady Bears.  At the number one position, Natalya Kamenshchikova and Victoria Smolchenkova teamed up for an 8-4 win over Ana Ruzir and Jessica Medina.  Polina Novachuk and Jessica De Backre topped Gislaine Farias and Marilyne Kanmegne 8-4 in the number two position while Straffai Cleveland and Natalia Andrade picked up a victory by forfeit in the number three position. 

In singles competition, with a 3-0 advantage, the Hawks continued to battle against Shaw.  In the number one singles position, Kamenshchikova came up short in a 7-5, 6-3 decision to Ruzir.  Novachuk picked up a 6-3, 6-2 victory in the number two position against Medina while Smolchenkova grabbed a narrow victory over Farias in tiebreaker play. 

De Backre fell to Maegne 7-6 (3-0), 6-3 in the fourth position while Andrade defeated Haillie Hanna-Cooke 6-1, 6-1 in the number five spot.  Cleveland earned a victory by forfeit in the sixth position, confirming the 7-2 win for Chowan. 

The Hawks return to action on Sunday when they take on Fayetteville State University in the final contest of the CIAA Round-Up.  First serve is slated for 1:00pm.