NORFOLK, Va. — Redshirt sophomore Frida Cnossen and freshman Hannah Gaines teamed up for a doubles win and then they each won in singles to help lead North Carolina Central University to a 4-1 victory over Howard University in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women's Tennis Championships at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center early Thursday.
 
The Lady Eagles, who were the No. 3 seed from the Southern Division, knocked off the second-seeded team from the Northern Division to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2016. NC Central (8-14 Overall) will next play the top-seeded team from the Southern Division in South Carolina State, with first serve to that semifinal slated for Friday at 9 a.m.
 
NCCU started its victorious postseason opener by winning a pair of doubles matches to claim the first team point. Cnossen/Gaines won in the marquee No. 1 doubles bout with a 6-3 triumph, moving over .500 on the season together at 9-8. Junior Sofia Miller and Emily Pena coasted to the other No. 3 doubles win, posting a convincing 6-1 victory as that duo moved to 8-9 as partners.
 
Gaines notched her singles win against fellow freshman Kendall Addison, winning the third-flight draw by a 6-4, 6-2 tally.
 
Cnossen and sophomore Maru Berghaus, who were both selected to the 2019 All-MEAC Teams two days ago, both got in the win column to complete the team victory for the maroon and gray. They moved into a tie for the team lead in singles wins on the season with eight each, matching freshman Ivana Dragovic.
 
Cnossen disposed of sophomore No. 1 Yassmine Khiri by a score of 6-1, 6-4. Berghaus rolled to her conquest of senior No. 2 Nicole Hutchinson by match 6-2 set scores.
 
Howard finished its season at 5-13. Freshman Dominique Jackson picked up the lone Bison point with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 6 singles.