FARMVILLE, Va. – The North Carolina Central University men's tennis team made history on Sunday (Feb. 16), edging Longwood University, 4-3, for the Eagles' first win in the series with the Lancers.

After NCCU opened the match with an 8-4 win by junior Daniil Gerasimov and senior Stephan Charles-Donatien in the No. 1 doubles match, Longwood earned victories in the other two doubles matches to capture the doubles point.

The Eagles quickly evened the match with a decisive 6-1, 6-1 victory by Charles-Donatien at No. 2 singles

NCCU junior Tamina Kienka dropped a three-set contest (6-3, 3-6, 6-2) at No. 3 singles as Longwood regained the advantage 2-1 in the match.

The Eagles answered the challenge again. This time NCCU freshman William East rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the third set to win his No. 4 singles match 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, evening the match score at 2-2.

NCCU sophomore Thomas Persico battled in a hard-fought opening set at No. 6 singles to capture a straight set 7-5, 6-2 win, giving the Eagles a 3-2 match lead.

With the Eagles needing to win just one of the two matches remaining on the courts, Gerasimov overcame a 4-1 gap in the third set for a come-from-behind, match-clinching victory at No. 1 singles (6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (5)).

NCCU junior Fabrice George fell in a tightly-contested match at No. 5 singles (6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-5), but the historic match win over Longwood was already chalked up.

NCCU has a week to enjoy its notable victory before returning to the courts to face Norfolk State University on Feb. 23 in Newport News, Va.