PETERSBURG, Va. —The Shaw University women's tennis team had to rally from a 3-2 deficit, but they reeled off three straight wins to claim a 5-3 victory over Winston-Salem State in a match played Friday afternoon at the Virginia State Tennis Complex.  The win earns the Lady Bears a berth in the CIAA Tennis Championships against Chowan where they will attempt to claim their third title in four years.

The Lady Bears - the top seed in the tournament - improve to 23-2 on the season while Winston-Salem State - the fourth seed - finishes their season with a 16-10 overall record.

WSSU broke on top early when the number three doubles team of Carmen Grady and Taylor Harris knocked off Shaw's Desiree Bell and Menel Ben-cheikh 8-2. 

Shaw rebounded with wins at both the top doubles spots.  Jessica Medina and Michelle Hart downed Sloane Holmes and Kayla Carter 8-2 in the number one slot, while Gislaine Farias and Claudia Silva defeated Kalin Jarvis and Bianka Locklear 8-3.

WSSU's lower singles then gave the Lady Rams a 3-2 lead when number five singles Harris defeated Bell 6-0, 6-1 and number six Grady downed Ben-Cheikh 6-2, 6-0.

The Lady Bears battled back, with Farias evening the match with a 6-1, 6-1 defeat of Jarvis. 

Silva then gave Shaw a 4-3 lead with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Holmes and Medina gave them the win with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep of Carter.

The Lady Bears will face Chowan Saturday 10:00 a.m. at the VSU Tennis Complex.  The two have played once this season, with Shaw claiming a 6-3 win.  This is the Hawks' first appearance in the tennis championship.