DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University women's tennis team will host the 2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tennis Championships that begin on Thursday, April 27, and finish on Saturday, April 29 at Cary Tennis Park. 

NCCU (10-10, 4-2 MEAC) secured the No. 2 seed and will battle No. 7 Coppin State University on Thursday at 8 a.m. The Eagles have reached double-figure wins for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign (14).

The maroon and gray lineup features two individuals with 10 or more singles victories and three with nine wins. Additionally, six of the seven student-athletes on the team have claimed MEAC Weekly Honors at least once. 

Freshman Alejandra Hidalgo Vega is 15-5 overall and 4-2 in MEAC competition. The Madrid, Spain native began the season in the number four slot and worked her way up to the top spot in the NCCU lineup where she is 9-2. She claimed non-conference victories over East Carolina, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, Hampton, Eastern Kentucky, Wofford, UNC Asheville, Elon, Longwood, and North Carolina A&T.

Freshman Candice Bernier is 10-9 overall and 4-2 in MEAC play. The Repentingy, Canada native went 7-4 from the number three spot and earned non-conference wins over UNCG, Queens University of Charlotte, Eastern Kentucky, Wofford, and Longwood.

The Eagles' number two player, sophomore Kennedy Hill is 9-11 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The Tyrone, Ga. native earned victories over East Carolina, UNCG, Longwood, and Elon in non-conference action.

NCCU junior Jade Houston is 9-10 overall and 3-3 in MEAC competition. The Raleigh native primarily played in the number four position and has non-conference wins over UNCW, Hampton, Eastern Kentucky, NC A&T, and Longwood. 

Sophomore Lafi Joao is 9-7 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The Gaithersburg, Maryland native claimed non-conference victories over UNCG, Queens, Hampton, Eastern Kentucky, and NC A&T.

NCCU sophomore Isabelle Exsted is 7-7 overall and 5-1 in conference play. The Savage, Minnesota native earned non-conference wins over Wofford and Shaw.

In doubles action, the maroon and gray have three go-to pairings.

Bernier and Hill are 7-8, Houston and Joao are 3-13, and Hidalgo Vega and Exsted are 5-3.

The winner of the NCCU vs CSU quarterfinals match will play against the winner of No. 3 Delaware State University and No. 6 Norfolk State on Friday at 9 a.m. The action on Friday and Saturday can be streamed via ESPN+.

For more information about the 2023 MEAC Tennis Championships please visit www.MEACSports.com