BOWIE, Md. – On Tuesday, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference announced its 2022 women’s tennis awards. For Bowie State Afruica Gentle was named the 2022 CIAA Women’s Tennis Player of the Year as well as All-CIAA after leading the Bulldogs (11-3) to its first-ever CIAA Northern Division title in program history.

The Georgetown, Guyana native finished the year with an 8-0 a record at the No. 1 singles position, highlighted by a perfect 6-0 record against league opponents. Gentle teamed up with freshman Kayla Lowery (Cleveland, OH) as the No. 1 doubles duo for a 9-1 overall record and 8-0 mark against CIAA opponents.

Lowery and sophomore Tamia Byrom (Upper Marlboro, MD) both joined Gentle on the 2022 All-CIAA Women’s Tennis Team. Lowery went 6-3 overall and 4-3 against CIAA opponents this season, capping off the regular season on a three-match win-streak at the No. 2 singles position while Byrom who mostly played at the No. 4 singles this season turned in a 7-1 record in league competition, capping off a five-match winning streak.

2022 All-CIAA Women’s Tennis Team
Afruica Gentle, Bowie State
Tamia Byrom, Bowie State
Kayla Lowery, Bowie State
Chengeto Moyana, Johnson C. Smith
Taylor Proffett-Brooks, Johnson C. Smith
Kyndall Ragins, Johnson C. Smith
Shay’Tonya Missick, Johnson C. Smith
Kundai Manyonga, Shaw
Anja Antonijevic, Shaw
Michelle Blaha, Shaw
Chetna Kumari, Shaw
Dana Moreno, Shaw
Player of the Year – Afruica Gentle, Bowie State
Rookie of the Year – Anja Antonijevic, Shaw
Coach of the Year – Sunday Enitan, Shaw
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.