NORFOLK, Va. (April 26, 2018) – Coach Larry Strickland and No. 3 Howard University Women's Tennis team saw its 2018 campaign come to an end after a heartbreaking 4-3 loss against No. 2 Bethune-Cookman (BCU) at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships in Norfolk, Va.
 
Junior Kindha Nasef and freshman Yassmine Khiri each ended the season on a high note.
 
Khiri, All-MEAC selection, highlighted the afternoon by knocking off MEAC Rookie of the Year Bethune-Cookman's Rehaana Butt in straight sets (6-2, 7-5). With the victory, the Morocco native finished the year with a five-match winning streak.
 
Nasef served as Howard's No. 4 singles player where she defeated BCU's Karen Romero in two sets (6-3, 6-1) while closing out the season winning seven straight.
 
HU won its third point by defeat in the No. 6 spot.
 
Despite getting the upper hand in doubles competition, the Wildcats won both matches and earned the point in doubles play, which would make the difference.
 
Howard finished the season 7-10 overall and 4-2 in league play.
 
No. 2 Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 3 Howard
April 26, 2018 at Norfolk, Va. (Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center)
 
Bethune-Cookman 4, Howard 3
 
SINGLES COMPETITION
 
1. ROKI,Matea (BCUW) def. FINCH,Nathalie (HOWW) 6-1, 7-6
2. KHIRI,Yassmine (HOWW) def. BUTT,Rehaana (BCUW) 6-2, 7-5
3. VIDAL,Alejandra (BCUW) def. HUTCHISON,Nicole (HOWW) 6-3, 6-2
4. NASEF,Kindha (HOWW) def. ROMERO,Karen (BCUW) 6-3, 6-1
5. RUELE,Phatsimo (BCUW) def. HARLOW,Sajela (HOWW) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
6. JOYNES,Christina (HOWW) def. No player (BCUW), by default
 
DOUBLES COMPETITION
 
1. ROKI,Matea/BUTT,Rehaana (BCUW) def. FINCH,Nathalie/HUTCHISON,Nicole (HOWW) 6-4
2. VIDAL,Alejandra/ROMERO,Karen (BCUW) def. KHIRI,Yassmine/NASEF,Kindha (HOWW) 6-2
3. No player/No player (BCUW) def. JOYNES,Christina/RAGAS,Aria (HOWW), by default
 
MATCH NOTES
 
Howard: 7-10
Bethune-Cookman: 9-7
 
Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 1); Singles (4, 3, 2, 1, 5)
 
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