ETTRICK, VA- The Trojans are the 2023 CIAA Northern Division Conference Champions and will host the 2023 CIAA Women's Tennis Championship on April 21-22.

TOURNAMENT BRACKET    |    TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

VSU concluded the regular season with an 11-3 overall record and a solid 9-1 record against CIAA opponents. 
 
The Trojans are set to face the Panthers of Virginia Union University at 4 PM on Day 1 of the tournament in the Quarterfinal round. The winner of that match will advance to the Semifinal game being played tonight at 8 PM.
 
The Trojans roster featured three young CIAA standouts in freshman duo Makensie Pago and Jalyn Jones, while sophomore Jayce Gaither led the Trojans recording a 9-3 record in singles play.
 
"I think stepping up to the plate and rolling with the punches to shake stuff up felt really good," said Pago. "It felt like a dream come true and we would like to continue to shake stuff up moving into next year"
 
As a freshman Pago has won her singles matches 7-5. In doubles, she has accounted for 11 wins for VSU and only two losses. "It is not easy to win at the top of the ladder with the pressure that comes with playing some of the best competition in the area, but she competed well against all opponents and most of her losses were against NSU, UDC, Virginia Wesleyan College, and Shaw," head coach Chavez Mabry. She went 7-2 in CIAA matches. 
 
"We have done really well as a team to overcome tribulations," said Jones. "Going through a coaching staff change, we feel like our coaches have really prepared us for this tournament we are going to be playing."
 
Jones plays at the No. 4 position and went 8-3 as a freshman in singles plays. She went 9-2 in doubles alongside Pago to solidify the most wins for VSU as a duo. In true leadership fashion, Jones sat out some matches because she wanted to allow other team members an opportunity to play and showcase the Trojans' depth. She adds a great feel to the team and exemplifies the essence of what the CIAA stands for in leadership, tradition, and community.
 
In her second season, Gaither played at the No. 5 position for the Trojans. She recorded a singles record of 9-3, highlighted by a huge victory at NSU.  Her losses came from matches that moved her up from her regular position except for UDC. In doubles, she has a record of 10-3.
 
"I expect for not only my team, but all of the other universities to compete at their fullest, to be motivated, and just have fun," said Gaither.
 
Head coach Chavez Mabry is leading the VSU tennis programs in a greater direction, living up to the VSU creed that "GREATER HAPPENS HERE." 
 
In his first year as the head coach for the men and women programs, coach has led the women to an 11-3 overall record and a 9-1 record in the CIAA. 
 
Coach Mabry has brought over 32 years of coaching experience to VSU and looks forward to growing the program, starting with a shot at the CIAA Championship this weekend. 
 
For more information on VSU Athletics, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.