MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Bethune-Cookman Women's Tennis stumbled Thursday afternoon as the Wildcats fell 4-0 at Alabama State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) match at Olean Black Underwood Tennis Center in Montgomery, Alabama. The match featured a clinch format benefitting both squads heading into the weekend's SWAC Pod #2 event also hosted by Alabama State.
Alabama State (7-7, 4-1 SWAC) opened taking the doubles point, beginning with a win at No. 3 doubles. The Hornets team of Ena Arnautovic and Cleanne Pickel defeated Bethune-Cookman's duo of
Jalayah Shaw and
Allexii Bassette at No. 1 doubles by a score of 6-1.
Bethune-Cookman (1-11, 0-4 SWAC) fielded Shaw at No. 1 singles, as well as
Zahara El-Zein at the No. 2 spot with both matches going unfinished before the match result was determined. On court four,
Keona Burley went unfinished in her match against ASU's Pickel.
The Hornets went ahead 3-0 on the day with a win at No. 3 singles after B-CU's Bassette was forced to retire after dropping her opening set, 6-2. Kesmat El Tawil clinched the match with a win on court five against the Cats'
Lesa Snipes-Williams in straight sets on scorers of 6-0, 6-0, respectfully.
Bethune-Cookman kicks off the SWAC Pod #2 event Friday, March 28, as the Wildcats face Jackson State at 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. CT). The match will take place at The Fields at 17 Springs in nearby Millbrook, Alabama.
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Singles Competition
1. Diana Craciun (ASU) vs.
Jalayah Shaw (BCU) 6-3, unfinished
2. Melisa Mekic (ASU) vs.
Zahara El-Zein (BCU) 6-1, 3-2, unfinished
3. Carmelle Vial (ASU) def.
Allexii Bassette (BCU) 6-2, retired
4. Cleanne Pickel (ASU) vs.
Keona Burley (BCU) 6-0, 5-2, unfinished
5. Kesmat El Tawil (ASU) def.
Lesa Snipes-Williams (BCU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Ena Arnautovic (ASU) won by forfeit
Doubles Competition
1. Ena Arnautovic/Cleanne Pickel (ASU) def.
Jalayah Shaw/
Allexii Bassette (BCU) 6-1
2. Melisa Mekic/Diana Craciun (ASU) vs.
Zahara El-Zein/
Keona Burley (BCU) 4-1, unfinished
3. Carmelle Vial/Kesmat El Tawil (ASU) won by forfeit
