NORFOLK, Va. – North Carolina Central's women's tennis team suffered its first conference loss, falling 4-3 to Howard in a tightly contested match at the MEAC Round-Up on Saturday afternoon at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center.

NCCU (4-8) opened strong, taking a 1-0 lead into singles play after securing the doubles point. Patricia Palencia and Sara Barbaric earned a 6-4 victory at No. 1 doubles, while Alejandra Hidalgo Vega and Valentina de Aquino followed with a 7-5 win in the No. 3 spot.

Hidalgo Vega extended the Eagles' advantage with a straight-sets win at No. 1 singles, pushing the lead to 2-0.

Howard (2-8) responded by evening the match with victories at No. 2 and No. 3 singles over Valeria San Miguel Soria and Palencia.

The Eagles regained the lead for the final time after Sara Barbaric secured a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 5 singles. However, the Bison answered with a victory at No. 4 singles to even the match.

The contest was ultimately decided at No. 6 singles. De Aquino took the opening set in a tiebreak over Lauren Oliver but dropped the second. With the third set tied, de Aquino fell 7-3 in the decisive match tiebreaker, as Howard snapped its three-match losing streak.

NC Central will continue play at the MEAC Round-Up on Sunday, March 29, with an 8 a.m. matchup against Coppin State.

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