PETERSBURG, VA – The Winston-Salem State Rams (11-8) pulled off a stunning upset when the team took a 5-2 win over the nine-time defending Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) champion Shaw Bears (14-5), Friday afternoon at the VSU Sportsplex to advance to the championship match of the 2013 CIAA Men's Tennis Championship Tournament.

The Rams used an inspired effort to take the win and ended a run of nine straight CIAA championships by the Shaw Bears. WSSU opened the match on a high note, sweeping doubles play and taking the 3-0 lead. After taking a default win at #3 doubles, the duo of WSSU freshman Corey Bonnette and Josh Aubrey took an 8-3 win at #2 doubles. The duo of junior Creighton Jones and sophomore Jonathan Aubrey finished the sweep with an 8-6 win at #1 doubles.

The momentum of sweeping doubles carried over into singles play where the Rams went on to complete the thrilling upset victory. After taking a default win at #6 singles, things got tough for the Rams, however as the team took back-to-back singles losses at #5 singles and ad #2 singles, but once again, Bonnette stepped up for the Rams and sealed the victory when he claimed a 6-2, 6-1 win at #4 singles to wrap up the victory.

With the win, the Rams make their third straight trip to the championship match of the CIAA tournament. The team will take on the Chowan Hawks in a 1:00 p.m. match for the 2013 CIAA title. For more information on Rams tennis, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.