CARY, N.C. – The North Carolina Central women's tennis team was on a mission for its best MEAC record since the 2012-13 season. The Eagles defeated Norfolk State 5-2 on Saturday at the Cary Tennis Park, completing conference action with a 5-1 record.

NCCU (10-8, 5-1 MEAC) made a pre-match presentation to Lafi Joao for Senior Day before doubles kicked off. The Spartans swept doubles for the first point of the match.

The Maroon & Gray went on to win the first five points in singles. After Patricia Palencia won No.4 Singles due to her opponent retiring, Gabriela Mejia Arenas followed suit with a 6-4, 6-0 triumph at the No.6 slot.

The final three points came from Mariana Zottoli, Alejandra Hidalgo Vega and Valeria San Miguel Soria. Zottoli won the No.3 position 6-2, 6-4, while Hidalgo Vega notched a pair of 6-4 set victories in No.1 Singles. San Miguel Soria won in three sets in the No.2 slot.

Freshman Valentina de Aquino Monsanto played a tough No.5 Singles match to end the day. Her third set went to a tiebreaker for the seventh point, ultimately falling 9-7.

NC Central has two more non-conference matches before the start of the 2025 MEAC Tennis Championship. The Eagles travel to Hampton on April 16 and Shaw the following day to conclude the regular season.

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