The 2002 Fayetteville State University Women’s Tennis Team made history as trailblazers, champions, and pioneers. Under the leadership of Head Coach Elorine Hill, the Lady Broncos captured the inaugural CIAA Women’s Tennis Championship, marking a defining moment not only for Fayetteville State but for the entire conference.
In the first year that the CIAA officially sponsored women’s tennis as a varsity sport, Fayetteville State rose to the occasion. The team outlasted Johnson C. Smith University in a thrilling final, winning 67–52 to claim the first-ever CIAA title in the sport. Their victory earned them a berth in the NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Regional, making them the first CIAA women’s tennis team to compete at the national level.
The 2002 squad featured standout performances from:
- Sheryl Adams – CIAA Singles Champion
- Dana Maynor – CIAA Singles Champion
- Rhoshawnnah Clark & Bradsheedah Elohim – CIAA Doubles Champions
- Keli Campbell – CIAA All-Conference Team
- Rhoshawnnah Clark – Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar
Coach Elorine Hill, who was named CIAA Tennis Coach of the Year, laid the foundation for a dynasty. The 2002 championship sparked a four-year title streak from 2002 to 2005, with a fifth title added in 2007. Hill’s leadership and vision were instrumental in launching the program and guiding it to immediate success.
The induction of the 2002 Women’s Tennis Team into the Fayetteville State Athletics Hall of Fame honors their role as pioneers of women’s collegiate tennis in the CIAA, their championship legacy, and their enduring impact on Bronco Athletics.
