DURHAM, N.C. – Senior
Sebastian Pino (Caracas, Venezuela) and freshman
Oliver Saarinen (Espoo, Finland) both went 2-0 on the day in leading the North Carolina Central University men's tennis team to a 5-2 non-conference victory over Hampton University in the Eagles' home opener Friday afternoon.
The Eagles finished off their first victory of the season by winning three of the five singles matches contested on the Dr. James W. Younge Tennis Courts.
Hampton (0-6) only had five active players so it only took a 6-1 win by the tandem of Pino and Saarinen to seize the doubles point. It was the first win of the season for that maroon and gray duo.
Pino did not lose a game in coasting to a 6-0, 6-0 win over senior No. 2 Fayzullokhon Mavlyudov to push the Eagles within one point of winning the match.
Sophomore
Shaka Cristellotti (Trento, Italy) obtained that clinching point for the team triumph at the fifth position in NCCU's lineup. Cristellotti knocked off junior Daud Gantt-Bey in straight sets (6-2, 6-4).
Saarinen rounded out the scoring for the Eagles by outlasting junior Jeremiah Williams on court four. Saarinen claimed the seesaw win by a final score of 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4.
The singles wins by Pino, Cristellotti and Saarinen were the first of the season for all three players.
In another three-set affair in the top singles match, Hampton freshman Ange-Kevin Koua won a third-set tiebreaker to edge NCCU senior
Miles Clark by a slim 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) margin to level his team-best record to 3-3.
Sophomore Donte Armbrister first put the Pirates on the board with a win at No. 3 singles.
NC Central (1-8) is next scheduled to play at Mississippi Valley State University on Monday at 3 p.m. EST.
