ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The North Carolina Central women's tennis team suffered its first conference loss, falling 6-1 at South Carolina State on Saturday afternoon.

NCCU (9-8, 4-1 MEAC) entered singles down one after South Carolina State won the doubles point. However, Alejandra Hidalgo Vega and Valentina de Aquino Monsanto were the lone Eagles to triumph with a 7-5 victory in No.3 Doubles.

Patricia Palencia came out on top in No.4 Singles, putting the Maroon & Gray on the board. The Barquisimeto, Venezuela native defeated SCSU's Ashikha Amalnathan 6-4, 6-3 for an impressive 11-5 singles record in her sophomore campaign.

Gabriela Mejia Arenas and Valeria San Miguel Soria join Palencia with 4-1 singles records against MEAC opponents this season.

The Eagles conclude conference regular-season action hosting Norfolk State on April 12 at the Cary Tennis Park starting at 1 p.m.

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