CARY, N.C.— The North Carolina Central University men's tennis team was defeated 4-2 by Eastern Kentucky University inside Cary Tennis Park on Friday morning.

Reigning MEAC Player of the Week Sebastian Pino picked up his second singles victory of the season, while freshman Naresh Bharathy earned his third singles win.

Pino defeated Kristoffer Stahlbrand 6-4, 6-3. Bharathy battled and outlasted J. Anurag Reddy in a grueling three-set affair (2-6, 7-6 (13), 10-7.

In other singles competition, sophomore Oliver Saarinen fell to Mortiz Mayer (6-4, 6-2), freshman Neiman Sneed was clipped by Arthur Bugeaud (6-1, 6-3), and current MEAC Freshman of the Week Kareem Abdul Hakim was beaten by Paul-Antoine Brazet (7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-10 (8). Junior Shaka Cristellotti's match against Zach White went unfinished.

In doubles action, Pino/Saarinen was tripped by Stahlbrand/Bugeaud (6-4), Abdul Hakim/Bharathy's match against Mayer/Brazet was unfinished, while Cristolletto teamed up with freshman Liam Murtaugh and fell to Reddy/White (6-3).

Up next, NCCU (1-8) will travel to Conway, South Carolina to battle Coastal Carolina Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m. to wrap up the action-packed week.