By Joshua J. Darling, Alabama A&M Sports Information Director
JACKSON, Miss. – Alabama A&M (1-4, 1-0 SWAC) got Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play off to a strong start as they swept Southern (1-4, 0-1 SWAC) in an NCAA Division I women’s tennis match on Saturday, February 18.
Doubles action would see freshman Deja Brown (Spring Valley, Calif.) and senior India Woods (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) pull out a 6-4 decision over Nandi Munyulwa and Olivia Jenkins at the No. 3 spot while juniors Camila Ruiz Diaz (Asuncion, Paraguay) and Ximena Duarte Ramirez (Asuncion, Paraguay) claimed the doubles point by the same score over Paris Washington and Kourtni Stewart at No. 2.
Senior Jasmine Boyd (Marion, Ind.) and junior Neha Ghare (Pune, India) then dominated Jaylnn Balleste and Takalani Molaoa by a 6-2 score at the top spot to close out the doubles portion.
Holding that 1-0 lead, the Bulldogs would double it as Woods defeated Sasha Taruberekera 6-2, 6-1 at No. 6 and Brown notched a hard fought 6-3, 6-4 decision over Stewart at the second spot. Ghare then closed out the match with a 6-3, 7-6 victory over Jenkins at the No. 5 spot.
The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow, Saturday, February 19 as they take on Grambling as part of the SWAC Pod in Jackson, Mississippi.
ALABAMA A&M 4, SOUTHERN
Doubles
No. 1. Jasmine Boyd/Neha Ghare (AAMU) def. Jaylnn Balleste/Takalani Molaoa (SU) 6-2
No. 2. Paris Washington/Kourtni Stewart (SU) def. Camila Ruiz Diaz/Ximena D. Ramirez (AAMU) 6-4
No. 3. Deja Brown/India Woods (AAMU) def. Nandi Munyulwa/Olivia Jenkins (SU) 6-4
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
Singles
No. 1. Jasmine Boyd (AAMU) vs. Jaylnn Balleste (SU) 5-7, 6-6 UF
No. 2. Deja Brown (AAMU) def. Kourtni Stewart (SU) 6-3, 6-4
No. 3. Ximena D. Ramirez (AAMU) vs. Paris Washington (SU) 3-6, 1-5 UF
No. 4. Camila Ruiz Diaz (AAMU) vs. Takalani Molaoa (SU) 4-6, 5-4 UF
No. 5. Neha Ghare (AAMU) def. Olivia Jenkins (SU) 6-3, 7-6 (0-1)
No. 6. India Woods (AAMU) def. Sasha Taruberekera (SU) 6-2, 6-1
Order of Finish: 6, 2, 5
