DURHAM, N.C. – The top four players in North Carolina Central University's lineup all won their singles and doubles matches in leading the Eagles to 5-2 home victory over Hampton University on Friday afternoon.
All four NCCU singles wins were obtained in straight sets as the Eagles improved to 1-5 on the season.
Freshman
Lafi Joao (Gaithersburg, Md.) started NCCU's singles scoring with a 6-3, 6-2 win over freshman Zoe Walker at the fourth position in the Eagles lineup. Joao (3-3), the reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week, has won two straight singles matches.
Freshman
Kennedy Hill (Tyrone, Ga.) followed with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph. Hill (3-3) knocked off senior No. 2 Viktoria Ljungman.
Sophomore
Jade Houston (Raleigh, N.C.) then clinched the team victory for the Eagles, winning atop NCCU's lineup. Houston (1-5) knocked off senior Milena Amedieva by a 6-3, 6-2 margin for her first win of the season.
Sophomore
Maria Picazo (Madrid, Spain) added NCCU's fourth singles win. Picazo (2-4) defeated junior Laura Peralta at No. 3 singles by a score of 6-4, 6-2.
The Eagles picked up their first doubles team point of the season with victories on the top two courts.
At No. 2 doubles, Hill and Picazo coasted to a 6-1 triumph to start the day for the maroon and gray. Houston and Joao then clinched the doubles team points with a 6-4 as NCCU's middle tandem.
It was the first doubles wins for both partnerships.
Junior No. 5 Franzene Tsui recorded the lone match win for the Pirates. Hampton's first came at No. 6 singles due an injury in NCCU's lineup.
NC Central will next host Western Carolina University on Sunday at noon.
