DURHAM, N.C. – Freshman
Kennedy Hill played at No. 1 singles for the first time in her young collegiate career and prevailed in her debut at that spot in the lineup to highlight play for the North Carolina Central University women's tennis team in a 6-1 non-conference home loss to East Carolina University on Wednesday.
In the marquee showdown between two rookies atop both squads' singles lineup, Hill outlasted freshman Isabella Rivera Ortiz in three sets. After dropping the first set in a tiebreaker, Hill rallied to win 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3 for her team-leading eight singles win of the season.
The Pirates won all of the other completed matches to improve to 4-11 on the season.
One other match went three sets.
On court four, freshman Ines Bachir came back to edge fellow freshman
Lafi Joao by a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 margin.
ECU won the top two doubles matches to secure the opening point.
NC Central (3-12) will next return to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play when the Eagles host Norfolk State University on Saturday, April 2 at 11 a.m.
