DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University women's tennis team was defeated 4-3 in an intense battle with Queens University of Charlotte at the Dr. James W. Younge Tennis Courts on Friday afternoon.

The action began with the Eagles earning their first doubles point of the season. Sophomore Kennedy Hill paired up with freshman Candice Bernier to beat Jill Morse and Marie Balanda 6-3. Sophomore Lafi Joao and junior Jade Houston fell to Katsiaryn Tuliakova and Hanna Axelsson 6-4.

In the third doubles match freshman Alejandra Hidalgo Vega and sophomore Isabelle Exsted outlasted Amelie Allard and Nyanquie Tomegah 7-5 to claim the point to NCCU.

In singles play, Joao earned her second victory of the season with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Tomegah, while Bernier beat Balanda 6-4, 6-4, to pick up her second win of the season.

Hidalgo Vega and Houston fought for three sets but fell short to Morse and Axelsson, respectively. Hidalgo Vega dropped the first set 6-3, won the second set 6-3, and lost the winner takes all third set 6-4. Houston fell in the first stanza 7-5, won the second frame 6-3, and lost the winner takes all third set 6-4.

Tuliakova clipped Hill (6-3, 6-0), and Allard defeated Exsted (6-1, 6-1) to round out the singles competition.

Up next, NCCU (1-5) will have an action-packed three-match home stand at the Dr. James W. Younge Tennis Courts to start the month of March. First, they will host Hampton on Thursday, March 2, then host Eastern Kentucky on Friday and battle North Carolina A&T on Saturday.