While I prefer the original haircut, wanting to go for a different direction and choosing one which is less work are definitely great reasons to switch over.
If you're still looking for a hairstyle that would look good for her tho, may I ask what image or idea you're trying to convey with her? The old one conveyed that she's a. black and b. Confident with her hair au naturale because she knows she's good enough that enemies grabbing onto it is irrelevant, while the ponytail makes her race more ambiguous and implies that she's more cautious and doesn't want it in her eyes but is unwilling to put it in a bun or tie it up even if foes might grab onto it because she values her hair.