CONWAY, S.C. – The North Carolina Central men's tennis team was swept 7-0 by Coastal Carolina University at Stevens Tennis Complex on Saturday afternoon.

In singles action, reigning MEAC Player of the Week Sebastian Pino fought but fell 12-10 in the third set against Carlos Berna Ruiz after the pair split the first set 1-6, 6-2.

Sophomore Oliver Saarinen battled but was outlasted by Lucas Wayenburg 6-2, 0-6, 0-6.

MEAC Rookie of the Week Kareem Abdul Hakim was beaten by Ryuya Ata (6-1, 6-3), while his classmate Naresh Bharathy was tripped by Guilherme Toresan (6-3, 6-4).

Freshman Neiman Sneed was clipped Neil O'Connor 6-0, 6-0, while senior LaQuon Gilchrist fell 6-1, 6-0 to Rivers Cahill.

The teams competed in intense doubles play, where the combination of Pino and Saarinen defeated Berna Ruiz and Steve Mundt 6-2. Junior Shaka Cristellotti and freshman Liam Murtaugh teamed up and fell to Toresan and Wayenburg 6-1.

In the point-deciding match, Abdul Hakim and Bharathy paired up and erased a 4-1 deficit however, their comeback come up just short against Ata and Maj Tomac (6-4).

Up next, NCCU (1-9) will travel to Virginia to play against Hampton University on Wednesday, March 8. The squad will also play a scrimmage against Virginia Wesleyan on Thursday, March 9. Both Matches will be played at the Virginia Wesleyan Indoor Tennis Center.