Raleigh, NC—April 13---Kately Stokes, Howard's Number 1 singles player, posted a win over Katerina Szaboova that proved to be the deciding factor as the Lady Bison, the Number 4 seed, defeated Bethune Cookman, 4-3 in the opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's and women's tennis championship at the Millbrook Tennis Center.

Stokes won 6-0, 7-5 and 6-2 over Szaboova to help her team advance to tomorrow's semifinal round against Delaware State, the Number 1 seed in the Northern Division.  Play starts at 8:30 am.  The victor will play the winner of the other semifinal match between defending champion South Carolina State, the Top seed in the Southern Division and North Carolina Central, the Number 3 seed on Sunday.

The Lady Bison, who have been hampered by injuries all season, scrapped and fought their way to this victory. Howard was up 1-0 heading into singles play after capturing the doubles point.  

The Lady Bison won at the Number four and five singles spots while the Lady Wildcats captured wins at the Number three and six spots. Stokes won the point at the Number one singles spot over Szaboova to lead the Lady Bison to tomorrow's semifinal.

Delaware State defeated Florida A&M while SC State ousted Morgan State.  A win by the Lady Bison and the Lady Bulldogs would set the stage for a rematch between the two for the third straight year.