DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University women's tennis team notched its first win of the season with a strong performance in a 7-0 non-conference victory over Winston-Salem State University on a chilly Saturday afternoon at the NCCU Tennis Courts.
 
The Eagles, who improved to 1-2 on the season, start 1-0 at home. The Rams start their season 0-1.
 
NCCU only lost four games in doubles and then coasted to straight-set wins in all six singles matches to complete the sweep.
 
Redshirt junior Frida Cnossen and sophomore Hannah Gaines highlighted doubles play with a flawless 6-0 triumph against WSSU's top tandem. The Eagles completed doubles play with a pair of 6-2 wins by the partnerships of junior Maru Berghaus with sophomore Ivana Dragovic and the senior duo of Sofia Miller and Jurasia Horvat.
 
Cnossen and Berghaus dominated the top two singles matches for the maroon and gray, only losing one game apiece. Cnossen earned her victory over junior No. 1 Tay'lor Champion and Berghaus netted her matching 6-1, 6-0 conquest over junior No. 2 Avion Harris.
 
Miller and Dragovic earned spotless 6-0, 6-0 wins at the third and fifth position in NCCU's lineup. Miller disposed of Kyrsten Jennelle and Dragovic carded her sweep against senior Cylah Gaither.
 
Gaines was involved in the most competitive match of the day on court four. Gaines needed a little more work before topping sophomore Kyra Akande by a 6-2, 6-3 margin.
 
Junior Polina Sakharova closed out NCCU's winning day with a 6-0, 6-2 win over sophomore Tamia Bennett.
 
All nine singles and doubles wins were all of the first of the season for each Eagle individual or team.
 
NC Central next visits Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, for a non-conference match on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.