(Petersburg, VA)  - The Shaw Women's Tennis team advanced to the finals of the CIAA Tournament with a 6-3 win over Virginia State in a match played on the campus of VSU.  The Lady Bears are seeking their third straight CIAA title. 

Down a player, the Lady Bears forfeited both the number three doubles and number six singles matches.  The number two doubles team of Lolia Kienka and Evan Okafor took an easy 8-0 win over Tamilia Hicks and Lakevia Ingram.  The number one doubles match came down to the wire, but Shaw's Aline Ferreira (pictured) and Vimbai Mawisire brought in the 8-6 win over Keisha Holmes and Amanda Spencer.

In singles, Mawisire - playing in the number two slot - brought home the first Shaw win with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Holmes.  Kienka downed Spencer 6-2, 6-1, while Ferreira and Okafor also scored relatively easy wins. 

With the win, the Lady Bears earn a spot in the finals where they will face Winston-Salem State.  The Lady Rams won both of the regular season meetings with 5-4 tallies.