Box ScoreDURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's tennis team played its fourth consecutive match that was decided by one point, but for the first time in that span the Eagles were unable to come up with the win in a 4-3 loss to local foe Shaw University on Friday afternoon at the NCCU Tennis Courts.
Sophomore
Kert Kilumets and the rookie duo of
Gabriel Cucalon and
Davide Callegari all won in NCCU's final match of the season. The Eagles finished their season at 4-13 overall.
Senior
Thomas Persico was honored by the NCCU Athletics Department and his coaches and teammates before his Senior Day match. Persico played 57 completed singles tilts in dual matches and won 20 times in his four years representing the Maroon and Gray.
Persico did pick up one win in his final collegiate match, partnering with Kilumets for a 6-2 triumph at No. 2 doubles. However, the Bears won the top doubles match after being given a forfeit win at No. 3 to clinch the critical first team point.
NCCU rallied with straight-set wins by Kilumets, Cucalon and Callegari in the top three positions in the lineup, respectively. Cucalon (10-7) picked up his 10th win in his rookie season with a dominating 6-2, 6-1 conquest. Kilumets (6-2, 6-4) and Callegari (6-4, 6-1) both finished with 8-9 singles records on the season to square the team score at 3-3.
Persico won his first set with a 7-4 tiebreaker win but sophomore Guido Margiotta rallied to win the decisive No. 4 singles match 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 to secure the team win for the Bears.
Shaw improved to 9-2 overall with its fourth consecutive win.
