DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore Jade Houston and freshman Laif Joao clinched doubles in favor of the hosts, and then they each won in singles to help lead North Carolina Central to a 6-1 non-conference victory over in-state rival North Carolina A&T State on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Eagles also got singles wins from freshmen Kennedy Hill and Isabelle Exsted in the team triumph.
 
NCCU improved to 2-7 on the season, while the Aggies remained winless at 0-8.
 
Houston won atop the Maroon and Gray lineup in both singles and doubles. She first partnered with Joao for a 6-1 doubles win that secured the doubles point for the Eagles. It was their second doubles win together.
 
Houston finished off her day with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over sophomore Florielvis Hurtado Pernaleta.
 
Joao added her singles win on court four, topping senior Marlene Estenssoro Pineda by a 6-1, 6-2 margin.
 
Hill used matching 6-3 set wins in her No. 2 singles triumph over sophomore Manuela Sofia Jimenez.
 
Exsted capped NCCU's day with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 conquest over sophomore Trinity Oliver.
 
The three wins by NCCU's freshmen leveled all of their rookie campaign singles records to .500, including Hill (4-4), Joao (4-4) and Exsted (3-3).
 
The Aggies' lone point came off the racquet of freshman Ciel Tapia-Cruz, who now has four of N.C. A&T's five singles wins on the season.