JONESBORO, Ga. | The Tuskegee University women's tennis team battled Clark Atlanta University point-for-point Friday morning, winning a near four-hour marathon match, 5-2 at the SIAC Championships held at the Clayton County International Tennis Complex.
 
Tuskegee took a 2-1 advantage after doubles play, winning at number three due to default and winning at number one doubles, 8-2.
 
Singles play started off quickly for Tuskegee as Reicia North claimed a straight set victory over Tori Pradier 6-3, 6-1; then thins got interesting in the match as Clark Atlanta asserted themselves into the final four singles matches.
 
The Lady Panthers grabbed a win at number four when Avern Gumbs defeated Tuskegee's Kayla Triche 6-4, 6-4; all while number two and three singles were in their third set.
 
At number two singles, Tuskegee's Monica Thomas fell behind Clark Atlanta's DiAndrea Galloway after a first set tiebreaker, before storming back to win the second set 6-2 before the match was halted.
 
The match was halted due to the final point being clinched as Navilla Paul fell behind in the 4-3 in the third set. The senior stormed back to win the final three points to win the third and final set 6-4 (6-2, 6-7, 6-4) to send Tuskegee in the title match where they will play for the 15th SIAC championship on Saturday.
 
Tuskegee (14-5) advances to the championship match tomorrow at 12 noon (est) against the winner of top-seeded Benedict and fourth-seeded Stillman.
 
(2) Tuskegee 5, (3) Clark Atlanta 2

Singles
1. Reicia North (Tuskegee) def. Tori Pradier (CAU) 6-3, 6-1
2. DiAndrea Galloway (CAU) led Monica Thomas (Tuskegee) 6-7, 6-2, 5-4
3. Navilla Paul (Tuskegee) def. Vonnick Boyogueno (CAU) 6-2, 6-7, 6-4
4. Avern Gumbs (CAU) def. Kayla Triche (Tuskegee) 6-4, 6-4
5. Kimberly Bowen (Tuskegee) led Khadija Elder (CAU) 6-3, 1-0
6. Taylor Wilson (Tuskegee) won by default
 
Doubles
1. North/Thomas (Tuskegee) def. Pradier/Gumbs (CAU), 8-2
2. Boyogueno/Galloway def. Paul/Bowen (Tuskegee), 8-2
3. Wilson/Triche (Tuskegee) won by default
 
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