Dover, Del. (April 7, 2019) --- Howard women's tennis won its final regular season game today, defeating Delaware State, 4-3. Howard's success in the singles matches gave the team the extra point needed to come out on top over the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opponent.

After tying, 3-3, the Bison earned the winning point in the No. 1 singles. Going three sets, Yassmine Khiri defeated Sofia Rachi, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.  Senior Nicole Hutchison took the win over Anastasia Belkina.

"Yassmine Khiri suffering with cramps in the third set, with the team score tied, did an incredible job bringing home the victory," stated head coach Larry Strickland.

Aria Ragas posted a commanding, 6-2, 6-1, victory over Aayushi Chouhan in the No. 5 singles.

Dominique Jackson was the winner over Yelysaveta Bessonova at the No. 6 singles.

The Bison fell in the No. 3 and No. 4 singles with Christina Joynes losing to Alina Polyvana and Cassandra Bolton overtaking Kendall Addison.

Howard landed a win in the No. 1 doubles with Hutchison and Joynes teaming up for a 6-4 win over Rachi and Belkina.

The Hornets were successful in the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to take the point.  Addison and Khiri dropped their match to Boltman and Chouana, while Ragas and Jackson lost to Bessonova and Polyvana.

Howard women's tennis ends its regular season with a 5-12 overall, 3-2 MEAC record. The MEAC tennis championships will be held April 25-27 in Norfolk, VA. The Bison were predicted to finish second in the preseason poll.

RESULTS
HOWARD, 4  DELAWARE, 3

Doubles
1. Hutchinson/Joynes (H) def. Rachi/ Belkina (D) 6-4
2. Boltman / Chouhan (D) def. Khiri / Addison (H) 6-3
3. Polyvana / Bessonova (D) def. Ragas Jackson (H) 6-2
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2

Singles
1. Khiri (H) def. Rachi (D), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
2. Hutchinson (H) def. Belkina (D), 6-4, 6-4
3. Boltman (D) def. Addison (H) 6-3, 6-1
4. Polyvana (D) def. Joynes (H) 6-1, 6-2
5. Ragas (H) def. Chouhan (D) 6-2, 6-1
6. Jackson (H) def. Bessonova (D) 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish: 6, 3, 5, 4, 2, 1
 
About Howard University Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.