DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University women's tennis team will begin the home portion of its schedule on Saturday when the Lady Eagles entertain Western Carolina University in a non-conference dual match at 2 p.m.
 
NCCU has started 2016 at 0-1 after losing its first match at No. 5 nationally ranked North Carolina on Wednesday in Chapel Hill. The Lady Eagles were matched up against four Tar Heels that were nationally ranked by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
 
First year head coach Tom Schrecengost used a lineup of five upperclassmen and one freshman in the season opener against UNC (in order 1-6): senior Aissa Muamba, freshman Jasmine Gabriel, senior Mia Ramic, sophomore Jamie Rogers, junior Lynsey Cover and junior Tamara Jeremic.
 
Western Carolina is 1-1 after two matches in Blacksburg, Virginia, two weekends ago. The Catamounts lost 6-1 to No. 48 Virginia Tech before leveling their record with a 4-3 win over Radford.
 
WCU has showcased the same singles lineup in both of its first two matches this season (in order 1-6): senior Stacia Kissell (1-1), senior Megan McLinden (0-2), senior Shannon Bettiol (0-2), sophomore Elizabeth Ansari (0-2), freshman Savannah Taranto (1-1) and senior Erin Maguire (2-0).
 
NCCU defeated Western Carolina, 5-2, last season. The Lady Eagles swept doubles and Muamba won in singles. However, NCCU did graduate two of its singles wins from that match and Kissell – a 2014 First Team All-Southern Conference selection – did not play last season.