March 15, 2010

Complete Results

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Despite rainy weather and venue changes, the North Carolina Central University women's tennis team defeated the Hampton Pirates Saturday, March 13 at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center on the North Carolina campus.

"This win was big for the Eagles," said NCCU head coach David Nass. "Beating a 14-year tennis powerhouse was awesome for me and the girls."

The Eagles began the competition with doubles play. NCCU's No. 1 senior Kateryna Chorna freshman Olesya Palko and No. 2 sophomore Cameron Chatman and junior Ashley Rogers doubles team came up short, giving the Pirates the opening point of the match.

During singles play, the Eagles rallied back, winning four of the six games. NCCU's Palko began the Eagles reign defeating Barenese Myers, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.

Eagles No. 3 Chatman dug deep to defeat Tabita Daolio, 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-3 in an intense two-hour match.

"I must give Chatman a pat on the back," said Nass. "She kept her cool and survived victoriously to clinch an Eagles win."

Chatman's win over her Hampton opponent, giving her fifth consecutive singles win of the season.

Eagles' No. 5 junior Tatiana Velasquez beat Janelle Small, 6-2, 6-2, adding the third singles win for NCCU.

"Velasquez played her best tennis of the season," said Nass. "Her No. 5 singles win was key to the success of the match."

Rounding out singles play was a default win by No. 6 senior Monica Medina, Hampton's Na-Hyun Baek fell ill earlier in the match.

The Eagles defeated the Pirates 4-3.

The Eagles will remain close to the nest for their double header Saturday (March 20). NCCU will challenge Meredith in Raleigh, N.C. slated to begin at 10 a.m. The second match is scheduled for 2 p.m. against Shaw on the NCCU tennis courts.