DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University's women's tennis team opens its spring season at No. 11 Duke in a doubleheader with Atlantic Coast Conference opponents Virginia Tech on Monday, Jan. 20 at 1:30 p.m. and the Blue Devils at 6 p.m. 

Last spring, NCCU finished 6-15 going 3-3 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play overcoming injuries. The Maroon & Gray collected non-conference wins over North Carolina A&T, Gardner-Webb and Shaw.

During the fall season, the Eagles competed in six tournaments including one of their own, the NCCU Invitational hosting four teams. Two of those schools, Hampton University and UNC Wilmington, will host NC Central during the spring. 

NCCU returns four student-athletes with a young roster as Lafi Joao is the lone senior. Junior Alejandra Hidalgo Vega was an All-MEAC first-team player last season after a 14-6 record in singles during her sophomore campaign.

Sophomores Gabriela Mejia Arenas and Patricia Palencia are the final returners after one year under their belts.

Junior Valeria San Miguel Soria and freshmen Mariana Zottoli and Valentina de Aquino Monsanto are new to the Nest. San Miguel Soria brings experience after playing two seasons at the University of North Alabama.

This is the third season at the helm for head coach Sofia Rachi Cucalon. Joining her staff this season is graduate assistant coach Rachelle Starreveld and volunteer assistant coach Eric Douglass.

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