RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's tennis team fell 7-0 to No.22 NC State on Saturday evening at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center in the Eagles' spring season opener.

NCCU (0-1) was at a one-point disadvantage early after dropping the doubles point. Junior Kareem Abdul Hakim and senior Oliver Saarinen were defeated 6-3 in the No.2 slot, while sophomores Antoni Pankowski and Leo Fortier-Gariepy slipped 6-2 in No.3 doubles.

In singles, two Eagles matched up with nationally ranked players. Senior Hugo Hidalgo Vega faced No.26 Martin Borisiouk of the Wolfpack falling 6-3, 6-1 in No.1 singles. In the third slot, junior Rodrigo Alves would have a similar fate against No.97 Luca Staeheli in a 6-2, 6-3 loss.

Abdul Hakim (No.2), Naresh Bharathy (No.4), Pankowski (No.5) and Saarinen (No.6) completed their individual matches to conclude the evening as the Wolfpack won each match in two sets.

NC Central plays on consecutive days heading to No.12 Duke on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.

Tennis Match Results
NC Central vs NC State
Jan 18, 2025 at Raleigh, N.C.
(J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center)
#22 NC State 7, NC Central 0

Singles competition
1. #26 Martin Borisiouk (NCSU) def. Hugo Hidalgo Vega (NCCU) 6-3, 6-1
2. Fons Van Sambeek (NCSU) def. Kareem Abdul Hakim (NCCU) 6-2, 6-4
3. #97 Luca Staeheli (NCSU) def. Rodrigo Alves (NCCU) 6-2, 6-3
4. William Manning (NCSU) def. Naresh Bharathy (NCCU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Jules Leroux (NCSU) def. Antoni Pankowski (NCCU) 6-4, 6-0
6. Noah Gabriel (NCSU) def. Oliver Saarinen (NCCU) 6-0, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Martin Borisiouk/Luca Staeheli (NCSU) vs. Rodrigo Alves/Hugo Hidalgo Vega (NCCU) 5-3, unfinished
2. Jules Leroux/William Manning (NCSU) def. Kareem Abdul Hakim/Oliver Saarinen (NCCU) 6-3
3. Noah Gabriel/Fons Van Sambeek (NCSU) def. Antoni Pankowski/Leo Fortier-Gariepy (NCCU) 6-2

Match Notes:
NC Central 0-1
NC State 2-0; National ranking #22
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,4,3,2,5,6)
Match Played Indoors