BOWIE, MD — The Bowie State women's tennis team (2-11, 0-10 CIAA, 0-6 North) will travel to face Virginia State (9-6, 7-3 CIAA, 4-2 North) in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Northern Division matchup on Saturday, Apr. 11. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the VSU Tennis Complex in Ettrick, Va.
When: Saturday, Apr. 11 | 1 p.m.
Where: VSU Tennis Complex (Ettrick, Va.)
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Scouting Bowie State
Nakari Blunt continues to lead Bowie State at No. 1 singles and serves as one of the Bulldogs' top all-around contributors, while
Verneice Herndon provides experience near the top of the lineup.
Payton Swinton has been one of BSU's most productive players this season, leading the team with four singles victories while adding consistency in the middle courts.
Asia Johnson brings depth at No. 4, with
Mil'lanni Marte and
Daisy Pentorn rounding out the lower half of the lineup.
In doubles, the pairing of Blunt and Swinton has been Bowie State's most successful tandem, leading the Bulldogs with three wins together at No. 1 doubles. The team will look to build on recent momentum after showing improved chemistry across both singles and doubles play.
Last Time Out for the Bulldogs
BSU earned its first two victories of the season in dominant fashion, sweeping Trinity Washington 7-0 and 7-0 in a non-conference doubleheader at the BSU Tennis Complex.
The Bulldogs controlled doubles play throughout the afternoon, with Blunt and Swinton leading the way at No. 1 doubles in both matches. Bowie State then swept all singles flights across the two contests, highlighted by strong performances from Blunt, Swinton, Johnson, Marte and Pentorn.
The doubleheader sweep marked BSU's first wins of the season and the Bulldogs' most complete performance of the spring heading into Saturday's matchup.
Scouting Virginia State
Virginia State enters the matchup with a 9-6 overall record and a 7-3 mark in CIAA play, having won five of its last six matches. The Trojans have earned conference victories over Virginia Union (twice), Winston-Salem State, Johnson C. Smith, Livingstone and Elizabeth City State.
Virginia State also owns non-conference wins over Ferrum and Randolph-Macon, showcasing depth throughout its lineup. Many of the Trojans' victories have come in decisive fashion, including multiple 7-0 sweeps and 4-0 CIAA wins. In the first meeting between the two teams this season, Virginia State defeated Bowie State 7-0 on March 14.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will conclude the regular season at home against Virginia Union on Tuesday, Apr. 21 at the BSU Tennis Courts in Bowie, Md.
For more information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sports, visit bsubulldogs.com.
