DURHAM, N.C. — Sophomore Hannah Gaines posted a singles win over a MEAC All-Tournament honoree to highlight play for the North Carolina Central University women's tennis team in a 6-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division loss to South Carolina State University Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lady Bulldogs – the defending MEAC Champions – won the other eight matches to win the league opener for both squads.
 
Gaines netted her 6-4, 6-4 triumph on court three over sophomore Lasya Patniak. It marked the second singles win for Gaines this dual season.
 
South Carolina St. (4-4 Overall, 1-0 MEAC) won the other five singles matches in straight sets.
 
In the marquee top singles showdown, senior Andjela Mihajilovic held off junior Maru Berghaus by a 6-1, 6-4 margin. Mihajilovic is the reigning MEAC Championship Outstanding Performer and her win on Saturday came against an All-MEAC honoree in Berghaus.
 
The Lady Bulldogs picked up the doubles point with 6-2 victories at the first and second positions in the lineup. In the third position, Patniak and sophomore Izabel Nikolaeva escaped with a narrow 7-5 win over senior Sofia Miller and junior Polina Sakharova.
 
NC Central (1-6, 0-1) next plays at UNCG on Tuesday at 11 a.m.