The Prairie View A&M women's tennis team went 2-1 during the Southwestern Athletic Conference Challenger to pick up some confidence heading into the second half of the season.

Christine Ngo Gwodog and Erica Bond played big for the Lady Panthers, scoring critical points during the tournament as they both went undefeated to start off SWAC Play. Their 3-0 efforts changed the tide in a 4-3 win over Alabama State on Saturday and helped to solidify a 6-1 victory vs. Alabama A&M on Sunday. 

Prairie View A&M, however, did lose a close 4-3 decision against Jackson State to open the tournament. The outcome was virtually decided by the lost doubles point because the teams were split even at 3-3 in singles play.

“A couple of people that stood out were Erica Bond and Christine,” Prairie View A&M coach John Cochran said. “Every one stepped their games up for the conference matches, but they did it consistently. It was the consistency of play. Both of them won all three of their matches. Erica was key to a couple of victories and so was Christine.”

Gwodog and Bond held down the No. 3 and 5 spots respectively for the Lady Panthers and in the No. 2 slot Lerato Ndlovu went 2-1 on the weekend in close matches. She defeated Alabama State's Paulina Dennis 6-4, 6-3 and then Alabama A&M's Shanon Warner 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. She lost her first match of the weekend vs. Harshini Reddy of Jackson State 6-2, 6-1.

Jade Daniels also went 2-1 for Prairie View A&M, which relished every point it could earn in a tough weekend of dual matches. The Lady Panthers will take on Tennessee State on Saturday, March 2 in Baton Rouge.