April 19, 2008

Petersburg, VA - VSU outlasted Fayetteville State University, last year's winners, to be crowned champions for the first time in school history. This was the 7th Annual CIAA Women's tournament and Virginia State is just the third school to win the title. Shaw University won in 2006 and FSU won the championship the other years.

Coming into the final day of the tournament, Virginia State and Fayetteville State were running neck and neck with VSU ahead by one point on the scoring chart. The Lady Trojans captured the doubles championship at the number one, two and three doubles position on day one of the tournament. FSU was the runner-up at each doubles position and remained in contention for the title when five of their six student-athletes advanced to the finals in singles competition.

Virginia State would not be out done; they also had five student-athletes participating in finals match-ups. The Lady Trojans won the singles title at each position except at number one. Livia Oliveira of Shaw University defeated sophomore Ines Nieves in three sets 6-7; 6-4; 6-2 at the number one position for the title. Oliveira would also earn Tournament MVP honors.

The complete results are listed below:

No. 1 Women's Singles
#2 Livia Oliveira (Shaw) def. #1 Ines Nieves (FSU) 6-7; 6-4; 6-2

No. 2 Women's Singles
#1 Donna Johnson (VSU) def. #2 Constance Lee (FSU) 6-3; 7-5

No. 3 Women's Singles
#1 Asya Monds (VSU) def. #2 LeJacquelyn Artis (FSU) 6-0; 6-4

No. 4 Women's Singles
#1 Kendra Plummer (VSU) def. #3 Tyima Johnson (FSU) 6-3; 4-6; 6-3

No. 5 Women's Singles
#1 Keisha Holmes (VSU) def. #3 Lisa Donatien (LC) 6-1; 6-2

No. 6 Women's Singles
#1 Tamilia Hicks (VSU) def. #2 Chekimbrell Jefferson (FSU) 6-3; 6-2

2008 TOURNAMENT MVP
Livia Oliveira - Shaw University

Women's Scoring Chart
1. Virginia State - 67
2. Fayetteville State - 61
3. Shaw - 50
4. Livingstone - 42
5. Johnson C. Smith - 40
6. Bowie State - 31
7. Elizabeth City State - 18
8. Saint Paul's - 10