DURHAM, N.C. — Junior transfer Sebastian Pino (Caracas, Venezuela) and freshman Stipan Madzar (Split, Croatia) picked up their first career singles wins at North Carolina Central University in a 5-2 non-conference men's tennis home loss to Longwood University Friday afternoon at the NCCU Tennis Courts.
 
Pino secured his win at No. 4 singles while Madzar claimed his win atop NCCU's lineup. Pino defeated freshman Andrew Ilett in straight-set scores of 6-4 and 6-3. Madzar held off a late rally by senior Guilherme Sergio to prevail 6-4, 7-6 (1).
 
Pino and Madzar are both 1-2 in singles action early into the season.
 
The Lancers leveled their record to 2-2 on the season with No. 3 and No. 5 singles wins. Longwood jumped out early by sweeping the two contested doubles matches by scores of 6-4 and 6-3 while also and receiving a default win at No. 6 singles with the Eagles only having five active players.
 
Junior Amit Baran (Eilat, Isreal) also nearly got in the win column for the maroon and gray, but was outlasted by junior Guillermo Cagigas in a marathon seesaw tilt on the second court. Cagigas rallied late in the third set to secure the narrow 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-5 win and provide the visitors with a fifth team point.
 
NC Central (0-3) is next scheduled to host College of Charleston on Thursday, March 11 at 1 p.m.