SAVANNAH, Ga. — The North Carolina Central University women's tennis team posted its second straight 6-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division victory by knocking off host Savannah State University in an early dual on match Monday at the Tiger Tennis Courts.
 
The Lady Eagles improved to 7-9 on the season with their fourth win in their last five matches. NCCU is 3-1 in the MEAC Southern Division and 5-1 against all leagues programs counting Northern Division schools.
 
The two consecutive wins to end the road trip – which consisted of three matches in Savannah over just three days – has put the Lady Eagles in great position to return to the MEAC Women's Tennis Championships for the first time since 2016.
 
A pair of 6-3 wins in the top two doubles flights lifted NCCU to the first point of the day. Sophomore Frida Cnossen and freshman Hannah Gaines improved to 7-6 together while sophomore Maru Berghaus and freshman Ivana Dragovic secured their fourth win as partners.
 
The maroon and gray won four singles matches in straight sets. Cnossen coasted to the easiest win atop the lineup, losing just one game in her 6-0, 6-1 triumph. Berghaus notched her fourth straight win with a 6-4, 6-3 conquest on the second court. Junior No. 4 Sofia Miller (6-2, 6-4) and sophomore No. 5 Polina Sakharvoa (6-1, 6-2) also won in two sets.
 
Reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week Hannah Gaines needed to win an extended third set tiebreaker to seal NCCU's final point at No. 3 singles. Gaines rallied to win 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 with the 8-6 tiebreaker over senior Sansriti Ranjan.
 
Cnossen (7-6) and Berghaus (7-8) move into a tie with Dragovic (7-8) for the team lead in singles wins at seven apiece. Gaines (6-10), Sakharova (6-8) and Miller (5-11) all follow closely behind in the Lady Eagles' balanced lineup.
 
Senior No. 6 Casi Gilbert prevented the shutout, picking up the lone point for the Lady Tigers with a 6-1, 6-4 victory.
 
NC Central next hosts Gardner-Webb University in non-conference play on Saturday at Noon.