ORANGEBURG, S.C. – North Carolina Central University freshman Kareem Abdul Hakim defeated Mikalai Bankou during the Eagle's 6-1 loss to South Carolina State University at the Hardeep Judge Tennis Center on Saturday afternoon.

Abdul Hakim and Bankou split the first two sets 2-6, 6-3, before Abdul Hakim won the tie-breaking set 10-7.

Reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week Facundo Olmedo fell to Pedro Sasso 6-1, 6-1, while his classmate Naresh Bharathy was clipped by Rostislav Haflinger 6-4, 6-4. 

Graduate student Sebastian Pino was beaten by Aissa Benchakroun 6-2, 7-5, junior Shaka Cristellotti was tripped by Benjamin Niv 6-2, 6-2, and sophomore Oliver Saarinen fell to Novak Novakovic 6-0, 6-0.

In doubles action, Bharathy/Abdul Hakim fell to Sasso/Halfinger (6-4), Cristellotti and freshman Liam Murtaugh were clipped by Novakovic/Bankou (6-2), while Pino/Saarinen and Benchakroun/Niv match went unfinished.

NCCU (6-15, 3-2 MEAC) will begin the 2023 MEAC Championships from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29 at Cary Tennis Park in Cary, North Carolina.