GREENSBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina Central men's tennis team earned its first win of the season, defeating UNC Greensboro 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at the Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center. Senior Kareem Abdul Hakim clinched the match for the Eagles in No. 3 singles.

NCCU (1-2) entered singles competition with a 1-0 advantage after winning doubles for the first time in three matches. Pol Puig Montiel and Leo Fortier-Gariepy knocked off their opponents in No.3 doubles, while Naresh Bharathy and Antoni Pankowski followed with a thrilling 7-5 victory in the No.2 position.

Pankowski extended the lead with a two-set triumph in No. 5 singles, but the Spartans would tie things up with victories in No. 1 and 4 singles. Santiago Pinna took the lead back for the Eagles in the No. 6 slot. Pinna needed a tiebreaker in the second set but pulled off the 6-4, 7-6 outcome.

Abdul Hakim was the next match to wrap up for No. 3 singles, and his three-set performance gave the Eagles their final point and the win.

NC Central is back in action next Saturday, Feb. 14, making the short drive to Chapel Hill to face Campbell at the Chewning Tennis Center. First serve is set for 2:30 p.m.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.