CARY, N.C. – Sophomore
Maria Picazo registered singles and doubles triumphs for the North Carolina Central University women's tennis team in a 6-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference loss to Howard University on the final day of the MEAC Round-Up at the Cary Tennis Park Saturday.
The Bison edged the Eagles in doubles and then won five of six doubles matches to remain undefeated in league play. Howard (5-3 Overall, 3-0 MEAC) joined Morgan State University as the two women's tennis teams out seven programs to go undefeated at the MEAC Round-Up.
Picazo started her day with a 7-5 doubles victory with freshman partner
Kennedy Hill. Picazo and Hill won 7-5 in the middle bout to level their doubles record together to 3-3 on the season.
Howard used 6-4 and 6-3 doubles wins on courts one and three, respectively, to take the initial 1-nil advantage.
The Bison then used straight-set wins at No. 1, 5 and 6 singles to ensure the team victory.
Picazo then prevented the shutout bid with a three-set conquest in the third position in NCCU's lineup. Picazo (6-6) evened her season record by outlasting Yemisi Ifederu in a superset tiebreaker to decide the third set. She rallied to win 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5).
Two other singles matches went three sets, but in favor of the Bison. Sifa Butcher held off freshman No. 2
Kennedy Hill by a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 margin while Alexandra Blackwell squeaked out a 6-7, 7-5, 1-0 (10-6) win over freshman No. 4
Isabelle Exsted.
NC Central (3-10, 1-3) is next scheduled to host East Carolina University on Wednesday, March 23 at 2 p.m.
