Tennis Team Wins

FAYETTEVILLE - The North Carolina A&T tennis team rode strong individual performances to a sweep over Fayetteville State on Thursday afternoon at Mazarick Park.

The match gives the Aggies (1-6, 0-1) some momentum as they head into a pair of doubleheaders against MEAC Southern Division opponents starting this weekend. A&T will take on Savannah State at 10 a.m., and Florida A&M at 3 p.m., on Sunday in Sumter, S.C. On Monday, the Aggies will play S.C. State at 10 a.m., and Bethune-Cookman at 3 p.m.

"It's always important before conference matches to get a taste of winning," said A&T head coach James Dunwoody. "Today they got a taste of winning, and I think they liked it. They played hard. Today they played pretty smart, and I'm happy with that. "

Junior Kimberly Stalling defeated Samantha Ledbetter, 6-0, 6-1, in the No. 1 singles spot for the Aggies. Ledbetter was the only Broncos (0-4) player to score a point off the Aggies. Each of the other A&T singles players-junior Victorea Austin, freshman Jayla Scott, senior April Burrage and freshman Shaunasie Perkins-defeated their opponent in straight sets.

The doubles team of Burrage and Scott won 8-0, and Stalling and Austin won their doubles match 8-0.

"Glad to get a win. Everyone was happy to get a win. Whatever we can get, we definitely appreciate," Dunwoody said. "April played, to me, the hardest of them all. She looked like she was on a mission. I think she's been frustrated with the losses. She took care of her business quickly."

Dunwoody is hoping that his team will stay hungry and play their grinding style with passion and energy in their four upcoming conference matches, which will help determine whether they will qualify for the MEAC Championship Tournament in April.

Tennis Match Results

North Carolina A&T 7, Fayetteville State 0

Singles competition:

1. STALLING,Kimberly (NCAT) def. LEDBETTER,Samantha (FSU-W) 6-0, 6-1

2. AUSTIN,Victorea (NCAT) def. MORRIS,Taylor (FSU-W) 6-0, 6-0

3. SCOTT,Jayla (NCAT) def. WYNN, Octavia (FSU-W) 6-0, 6-0

4. BURRAGE,April (NCAT) def. THOMPSON, Joylene (FSU-W) 6-0, 6-0

5. PERKINS,Shaunasie (NCAT) def. TANN,Octavia (FSU-W) 6-0, 6-0

6. No Player (NCAT) def. No Player (FSU-W), by default

Doubles competition:

1. SCOTT,Jayla/BURRAGE,April (NCAT) def. LEDBETTER,Samantha/MORRIS,Taylor (FSU-W) 8-0

2. AUSTIN,Victorea/STALLING,Kimberly (NCAT) def. THOMPSON, Joylene/WYNN, Octavia (FSU-W) 8-0