NORFOLK, Va. (March 24, 2018) – Howard University Women's Tennis team dropped its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener against rival Hampton, 4-0, at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center on the campus of Old Dominion University.
 
HU entered Saturday evening's showdown without their top two singles players: freshmen Nathalie Finch and Yassmine Khiri. As a result, juniors Nicole Hutchison and Kindha Nasef were propelled in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions.
 
Hutchison, who served in the No. 1 position for the first time this season, fought, but fell to Hampton's Mariam Mitaishivili in straight sets (6-4, 6-2).
 
For the second time this year, Nasef represented HU in the No. 2 spot, but lost in two sets against the Lady Pirates' Yulia Kapitanova (6-1, 6-0).
 
Singles matches three through five were unfinished and Hampton won a point by forfeit due to the Bison not have enough bodies.
 
In doubles competition, Hutchison and Nasef teamed up for the first time this season and pushed Hampton's top squad, Mitaishivili and Kapitanova, to the limit before falling, 7-5.
 
Due to Tuesday's cancellation at Maryland Eastern Shore, Coach Larry Strickland and the Bison next opponent will be Saturday, March 31 against Norfolk State. First-serve is set for 1 p.m. at the Banneker Recreation Center.
 
Howard vs. Hampton
March 24, 2018 at Norfolk, Va. (Folkes-Stevens)
 
Hampton 4, Howard 0
 
SINGLES COMPETITION
 
1. MITAISHVILI, Mariam (HAM-W) def. HUTCHISON,Nicole (HOWW) 6-4, 6-2
2. KAPITANOVA, Yulia (HAM-W) def. NASEF,Kindha (HOWW) 6-1, 6-0
3. SLOCOMBE, Cherise (HAM-W) vs. HARLOW,Sajela (HOWW) 6-4, 5-2, unfinished
4. ROMANOVA, Ana (HAM-W) vs. JOYNES,Christina (HOWW) 6-2, 5-4, unfinished
5. D'AUVERGNE, Julia (HAM-W) vs. RAGAS,Aria (HOWW) unfinished
6. WALKER, Ciara (HAM-W) def. No player (HOWW), by forfeit
 
DOUBLES COMPETITION
 
1. MITAISHVILI, Mariam/KAPITANOVA, Yulia (HAM-W) def. HUTCHISON,Nicole/NASEF,Kindha (HOWW) 7-5
2. SLOCOMBE, Cherise/D'AUVERGNE, Julia (HAM-W) vs. HARLOW,Sajela/JOYNES,Christina (HOWW) 6-6, unfinished
3. WALKER, Ciara/ROMANOVA, Ana (HAM-W) def. No player/No player (HOWW), by forfeit
 
MATCH NOTES
 
Howard: 3-7 (0-1 MEAC)
Hampton: 2-4 (1-0 MEAC)
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,5,4,1,2,3)
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.