WASHINGTON (April 16, 2018) – After dropping a tough bout against Morgan State, Coach Larry Strickland and the Howard University Women's Tennis team outlasted Delaware State (DSU), 4-3, at the Banneker Recreation Center.
 
DSU held the early upper hand after winning two-out-of-three in doubles competition, 1-0.
 
Freshmen Nathalie Finch, Yassmine Khiri, and Aria Ragas led the way with singles victories.
 
Khiri (6-2, 7-5) and Ragas (6-3, 6-0) each won in straight sets while Finch needed a third and deciding set to down DSU's Sofia Rachi (6-2, 3-6, 6-2).
 
After dropping the first set, 4-6, junior Kindha Nasef rallied and forced a third set, 6-1, where she took control and defeated Delaware State's Alina Polyvana, 6-1.
 
With the victory, Nasef propelled HU over DSU while extending her winning streak in singles competition to four.
 
Howard ends the regular season versus George Mason on Senior Day (April 22). Match time is set for 1 p.m. at the Banneker Recreation Center.
 
Howard vs. Delaware State
April 16, 2018 at Washington, D.C. (Banneker Recreation Center)
 
Howard 4, Delaware State 3
 
SINGLES COMPETITION
 
1. FINCH,Nathalie (HOWW) def. RACHI,Sofia (DSUW) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
2. KHIRI,Yassmine (HOWW) def. BOLTAN,Cassandra (DSUW) 6-2, 7-5
3. BELKRINA,Anastasia (DSUW) def. HUTCHISON,Nicole (HOWW) 6-3, 6-4
4. NASEF,Kindha (HOWW) def. POLYVANA,Alina (DSUW) 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
5. GALIEVA,Elvira (DSUW) def. JOYNES,Christina (HOWW) 6-1, 6-2
6. RAGAS,Aria (HOWW) def. CHOUHAN,Aayushi (DSUW) 6-3, 6-0
 
DOUBLES COMPETITION
 
1. BOLTAN,Cassandra/RACHI,Sofia (DSUW) def. FINCH,Nathalie/HUTCHISON,Nicole (HOWW) 6-1
2. NASEF,Kindha/KHIRI,Yassmine (HOWW) vs. BELKRINA,Anastasia/POLYVANA,Alina (DSUW) 2-4, unfinished
3. GALIEVA,Elvira/CHOUHAN,Aayushi (DSUW) def. JOYNES,Christina/RAGAS,Aria (HOWW) 6-2
 
MATCH NOTES
 
Length of March: 2:30
Attendance: 22
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.