Men's, women's tennis sweep JCSU

Both the men's and women's tennis teams put on dominating performances as they opened up CIAA Southern Division round-up play against Johnson C. Smith sweeping men's and women's teams, 9-0 on March 23.

The Lady Rams are 10-6 (6-0 CIAA) and the Rams tennis team is 6-5 (4-1 CIAA).

"We played well and had a ton of confidence going into the match," said Drew Dunzweiler a sophomore right hander from Asheboro.

"Even though they were a weak team, we always try to stay focused against all opponents."

The Rams tennis team opened with three doubles wins, 8-1,8-0, and 8-0.

"We sometimes lost focus during the match," Dunzweiler said.

"But we rebounded and continued to play hard and came away with the victory."

The Lady Rams were just as impressive in their doubles play against the Lady Golden Bulls.

Taylor Harris a right-handed sophomore from Charlotte said that she felt like her doubles match shouldn't have been as close as it was.

"We should have won by a much larger deficit," Harris said.

"I am glad that we pulled through and got the win though."

Harris' partner during the doubles match was Chelsea Chatman.

In singles competition Winston-Salem State saw the same success.

The Lady Rams needed the win to keep the lead that they have on the Shaw Bears in the race for conference supremacy.

Holding down home court is also valuable to WSSU.

"It is very important that we win on our home court," said Dominique Lindsay. Lindsay is a left-handed sophomore from Charlotte.

"The race for the conference championship is between us and Shaw."

The two teams are tied for first place. The results of the March 23-25 round-up will help determine who wins the Southern Division. Harris said that the support from the fans and students is needed to help the team play well.

"It is very important to hear your teammates cheer you on during play,' Harris said.

"This is the most support that we have had from the student body since I have started playing here."

In attendance at the round-up was newly acquired walk-on right-hander Tyler Khiry Ross from Nashville, Tenn.

"I came to the team a few weeks ago and talked to [Nick] John," Ross said.

"I worked out for coach [John Martin] and he said I was good enough to be on the team and play."

Ross will be eligible to play this season after the NCAA clears him to play academically.

Shaw is in first place after the event.