South Aiken's Dingle signs to play college tennis at Prairie View

Aiken, S.C. - South Aiken High School senior Jonathan Dingle took the next step to continuing his tennis career on Wednesday, signing to play at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. Dingle chose the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) institution over Winston-Salem State, North Carolina Central and Florida A&M for the opportunity to compete on a bigger stage.

"The fact that they were a major D-I school and the better chances to win the conference title and make it to the NCAA Tournament," was key, he said.

The Panthers' men's tennis team advanced to the SWAC semifinals this season, and played in last year's NCAA Tournament. Dingle said he was looking forward to the travel arrangements of college tennis.


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SWAC West champion Southern defeats Xavier 9-0

NEW ORLEANS — Southern University, the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division champion, defeated Xavier University of Louisiana 9-0 Sunday in a women's dual at City Park Tennis Center.

The Lady Jaguars (9-5) won every set but one and picked up defaults at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles to defeat the shorthanded Gold Nuggets (3-14) for the second straight season.

Jo'Vonna Gaines, Carlista Mohammed and Kathryn Curtis won singles and doubles matches for Southern. Gaines and Mohammed defeated sisters Melissa and Nicole DeLoach 8-0 at No. 1 doubles, and Mohammed beat Amber Brown 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles. Curtis and Lois Alexis improved their win streak to 10 matches with an 8-0 decision against Brown and Carmen Nelson at No. 2 doubles.

Nelson won her first set against Demetria Woods at No. 3 singles, but Woods rallied for a 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6) victory. Freshman Lisbeth Castaneda clinched the dual with her 6-3, 6-0 victory against Ashley McGill at No. 5 singles.



Xavier, an NAIA member, has dropped three consecutive duals — its second in as many days against an NCAA Division I opponent — and 12 of its last 13. Half of the Gold Nuggets' losses this season are against NCAA D-I.

Xavier's women and men will visit William Carey at 10 a.m. next Sunday. Southern will visit Nicholls State at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
Xavier University of Louisiana
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