Bowie, MD (April 21, 2018) – The Shaw Lady Bears (21-2) claimed their second straight CIAA Championship with a 5-0 win over the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls (16-11). The Lady Bears had to fend off a feisty Johnson C. Smith team to claim their second consecutive conference title. 

As expected, the match began with some thrilling play in doubles competition.

The Shaw duo of Simbiat Aleem and Helene Fekete got things started with the 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles. The win was followed by the Shaw duo of Carmen Matecon and Andrijana Martic claiming an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles. The most compelling match in doubles play came at the No. 1 spot where Daniele Vanko and Marilyne Kamegne held off the Golden Bulls for an 8-4 win at #1 doubles. The effort left the Lady Bears with a 3-0 lead heading into singles play. 

The singles matches were just as exciting. Shaw took control early when Fekete took a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles. It was Vanko who clinched the championship with a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles.  Vanko was honored as the 2018 CIAA Women's Tennis Championship MVP. 

With the victory, Shaw claims the CIAA's  automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament.

Selections for the tournament will be announced Tuesday, April 24^th via web stream on www. NCAA.com.