Sports
COCO GAUFF CLAIMS FRENCH OPEN TITLE WITH THRILLING COMEBACK WIN
June 10, 2025 – Paris, France
In a gritty and emotional display of championship tennis, Coco Gauff roared back from a set down to defeat World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and claim her first French Open title and second Grand Slam crown, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, on the iconic clay of Roland Garros.
At just 21 years old, the American superstar proved she’s no longer the future of women’s tennis — she is the now.
A Statement of Strength
Under the swirling winds of Court Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff showed maturity beyond her years. Despite losing a tight first set in a tiebreaker, she reset quickly. With powerful groundstrokes, relentless movement, and deep focus, Gauff flipped the match by taking control of rallies and forcing Sabalenka into 70+ unforced errors.
The second set saw Gauff dominate with a near-flawless display, while the third was all about heart and hustle. Down an early break, Gauff stormed back, breaking Sabalenka twice to seal the biggest win of her career on clay.
History Made
Gauff becomes the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015, etching her name into tennis history on one of the sport’s most demanding stages. The moment she dropped her racket and fell to the clay was one of raw emotion — tears, joy, and vindication for years of hard work.
“It means everything,” Gauff said on court, overcome with emotion. “This is the dream. This is what we train for.”
Mind Over Matter
The mental game was just as crucial as the physical. Leading up to the match, Gauff focused on self-belief, visualization, and affirmations — including writing down “I will be French Open champion 2025” every day. That mindset helped her silence doubts and bring her best when it mattered most.
Her calm under pressure, especially against one of the game’s biggest hitters, showed how much she has evolved. Gone is the teenager who made headlines in 2019 — this is a full-grown competitor with championship grit.
Stars and Support
Gauff’s triumph wasn’t just felt in Paris. Back home, a wave of support poured in from athletes, celebrities, and fans who have followed her journey. Cameras caught her sharing a heartfelt embrace with her parents and even receiving congratulations from director Spike Lee in the stands.
The viewership numbers told the story too — this was one of the most-watched women’s finals in recent memory, showing Gauff’s growing star power.
What’s Next? Wimbledon.
Now with two Grand Slam titles under her belt — the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open — all eyes turn to Wimbledon, where Gauff first broke onto the scene as a 15-year-old. She’s no longer the wide-eyed rookie. She’s a champion.
With momentum, confidence, and the tennis world on notice, Coco Gauff is entering a new era — one where she’s not chasing the top, she is the top.
HBCU ORIGINAL
🏈 Lincoln University (PA) Lions Fall 4-0 to Chestnut Hill, But Display Heart and Resilience
Final Score: Chestnut Hill 4, Lincoln (PA) 0
Scoring Summary:
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20:21 – Chelsea Ritter (CHC) PENALTY KICK GOAL
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33:29 – Abigail Collins (CHC), Assist: Shaina Klos
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68:11 – Abigail Collins (CHC)
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86:57 – Rebecca Dalton (CHC), Assist: Bryce Westervelt
Key Lincoln Stats:
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Shots on Goal: 1
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Saves: 10 (Lourraine De Luna)
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Corner Kicks: 0
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Fouls: 4
Game Recap:
Lincoln University (PA) faced a tough opponent in Chestnut Hill, but the Lions never gave up. Keeper Lourraine De Luna was phenomenal, racking up 10 saves to keep her team in the fight. Despite falling 4-0, Lincoln showed HBCU pride, resilience, and determination, pushing hard on every possession and displaying flashes of offensive potential.
Chestnut Hill dominated possession, but Lincoln’s defense and effort underlined the team’s commitment to growth and representing the HBCU community. The Lions continue to fight for their first win of the season, gaining valuable experience along the way.
HBCU Original was on the scene to capture every save, tackle, and moment of pride. 🎥🔥
The Hornets showed heart from start to finish, going toe-to-toe with Monmouth in a high-scoring contest that ended 49–38. Despite the loss, Delaware State displayed major offensive firepower and resilience on the road.
🏈 Game Highlights:
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Marquis Gillis was unstoppable on the ground, rushing for 132 yards and a touchdown, setting the tone early for the Hornets’ offense.
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Quarterback James Jones powered in a short rushing score, keeping the Hornets within striking distance.
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The Hornet defense battled to contain a hot Monmouth offense led by Derek Robertson, who threw for four touchdowns — but Delaware State never backed down.
🔥 What’s Next:
Delaware State looks to carry this momentum into MEAC play, building on its offensive rhythm and toughness heading into the next matchup.
#MEACFootball #DelState #HBCUFootball #HornetPride #HBCUOriginal
BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 1, 2025) – The Morgan State volleyball team welcomed North Carolina Central (NCCU) to Hill Field House on Friday, Oct. 3 for a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchup at 6 p.m. The game was Morgan State’s ‘Pink Out’ match, with fans encouraged to wear pink in support.
Morgan State came into the match at 4-8 overall, 1-1 MEAC, looking to rebound from a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at Howard. The Bears had fallen behind 2-0 before dropping the final three sets, including a narrow 15-12 defeat in the fifth.
Key performances vs. Howard:
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Daniela Ferreira: career-high 23 kills
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Isabelle Brown: 43 assists
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Hanna Nemeth: 13 digs
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Jada Williams: seven blocks
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Aubrey Wilson: five blocks
NCCU (4-10, 1-1 MEAC) entered the contest on a two-match losing streak, including a 3-0 road loss at Charleston Southern. Standouts included Summer Campbell (four kills), Tayah Little and Allyson Rouse (three kills each), Loren Johnson (12 digs), and Neira Joldic (eight assists).
Series History:
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NCCU leads the all-time series 7-4, winning seven of the last eight meetings.
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Last season, the teams split the series: Morgan State swept at home (10/4/24) and NCCU won in five sets on the road (11/1/24).
Match Result: October 3, 2025
Morgan State pulled off a thrilling five-set victory over NCCU, winning 3-2.
Set Scores: 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-11
Impact on the Teams:
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Morgan State: Record improves to 2-1 MEAC, 5-8 overall.
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NCCU: Falls to 1-2 MEAC, 4-11 overall.
The Bears showed resilience coming back from a 0-2 deficit to claim the win! 💪
Player Highlights & Milestones
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Jada Williams: Moved into 7th on Morgan State’s all-time blocks list with 247 career blocks.
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Aubrey Wilson: Reached 100 career blocks, currently 17th in program history.
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Isabelle Brown: Freshman setter named MEAC Setter of the Week, directing Morgan’s offense with 107 assists over three matches.
Looking Ahead
Morgan State will host South Carolina State in a MEAC match on Sunday, Oct. 5. First serve is at 1 p.m. at Hill Field House.
Saturday, September 13, 2025 – 01:00 PM
Get ready for an electrifying showdown as the HBCU NY Football Classic returns to MetLife Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2025!
This premier HBCU football event in the Northeast promises heart-pounding action as Morehouse College takes on Howard University. Two of the nation’s most storied programs will clash on the gridiron, each vying for victory and bragging rights in front of thousands of passionate fans.
Fans can expect a full day of excitement, from pre-game festivities and marching band performances to halftime entertainment that celebrates HBCU culture and tradition. The rivalry is fierce, the stakes are high, and the energy in the stadium is bound to be unforgettable.
Don’t miss your chance to witness history in the making at the HBCU NY Football Classic – where tradition, pride, and football excellence collide!
HBCU ORIGINAL
Dillard’s Davison, Wilberforce’s Howard, and Wiley’s Russell Claim Week 1 HBCUAC Cross Country Honors
NEW ORLEANS – September 2, 2025 – The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) announced its Week 1 cross country weekly awards, recognizing standout performances from August 25-31.
Women’s Honors:
Dillard University freshman Karlise Davison made a sensational debut, earning both Runner of the Week and Freshman of the Week honors. Davison broke the Dillard four-kilometer school record, cementing herself as a rising star in the HBCUAC women’s cross country scene. Her record-setting performance has set high expectations for the season ahead.
Men’s Honors:
On the men’s side, Wilberforce University freshman Skyaqui Howard was named Runner and Freshman of the Week after leading the Bulldogs at the Wilberforce Invitational. In his first collegiate meet, Howard clocked 17:56.7, finishing seventh among 23 competitors from NCAA Division II and NCCAA programs.
Wiley University’s John Russell, a transfer from Ranger College, claimed Newcomer of the Week following his performance at Texas Christian University’s John MacKenzie Invitational. Competing against NCAA Division I athletes from TCU, Texas A&M, and Tarleton State, Russell completed the five-kilometer course in 19:38, showcasing his readiness to contribute at the HBCUAC level.
Additional men’s weekly nominees included Quante Ferguson (Talladega), Javoun Goldsby (Wiley), Earl Hurd Jr. (Wiley), Phillip Isaac (Dillard), and K’Mon Washington (Dillard), highlighting the depth of talent across the conference.
The HBCUAC continues to spotlight emerging athletes and exceptional performances in cross country, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
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