CARY, N.C. – For the first time since 2022, the North Carolina Central men's tennis team will not compete in the MEAC Championship final after a 4-1 semifinal loss to No. 3 Norfolk State on Friday at Cary Tennis Park. The Eagles conclude their season with a 13-8 overall record.

NCCU opened postseason play in the semifinals after earning a first-round bye as the tournament's No. 2 seed. Norfolk State advanced to face the Eagles after defeating Coppin State in Thursday's quarterfinals.

Rodrigo Alves and Kareem Abdul Hakim gave NCCU an early spark with a 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles, but the Spartans claimed the remaining doubles matches to take a 1-0 lead.

Norfolk State won No. 6 singles to claim its second point of the match, but NCCU freshman Pol Puig Montiel put the Eagles on the board. He secured a 6-1, 7-6 victory, winning the second-set tiebreaker 7-4 in No. 5 singles.

Despite the momentum shift, NCCU was unable to close the gap. Norfolk State won No. 2 and No. 4 singles to clinch the match and secure a spot in the championship final.

The Eagles will have a new look next season as they graduate five seniors: Neiman Sneed, Lucas Artigas, Rodrigo Alves, Naresh Bharathy, and Kareem Abdul Hakim.

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