Shaw Captures Eighth Straight CIAA Women’s Tennis Championship

ETTRICK, Va. – Shaw University closed out a dominant run at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) Women’s Tennis Championship, securing its eighth consecutive title with a 4-2 victory over Bluefield State University on Saturday at Virginia State University. 

The championship match opened with Shaw taking control in doubles play. Wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions secured the early 1-0 advantage, while the No. 2 match went unfinished. 

Bluefield State responded in singles competition, earning victories at the No. 3 and No. 5 positions to even the match at 2-2. Shaw answered at the top of the lineup, delivering wins at No. 2 and No. 1 singles to clinch the match and the championship. Remaining matches were halted once the deciding point was secured. 

The title caps a strong two-day performance for Shaw, which opened the championship with a 4-0 quarterfinal win over Virginia Union University. The Lady Bears set the tone early with a sweep of doubles play and continued their dominance in singles, not conceding a game in completed matches. 

Shaw advanced to the final with another 4-0 victory in the semifinal round over Virginia State University. The Lady Bears secured the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions before adding straight set victories at No. 2, No. 3, and No. 5 singles to complete the sweep. 

On the opposite side of the bracket, Bluefield State University reached the championship match with a 4-0 quarterfinal win over Livingstone College. After claiming the doubles point, Bluefield State maintained control throughout singles play to secure the result. 

In the semifinal round, Bluefield State earned a 4-1 victory over Johnson C. Smith University. The Big Blue secured the doubles point with a win at No. 1 and a default at No. 3, then added singles victories at No. 1 and No. 3 to advance. 

Johnson C. Smith opened the championship with a 4-0 quarterfinal win over Elizabeth City State University, while Virginia State University advanced past Winston-Salem State University with a 4-0 decision to round out the semifinal field. 

With the victory, Shaw extends its championship streak to eight and continues its run as the standard in CIAA women’s tennis.