Cary, N.C., April 25, 2024 – Day one of the MEAC Women’s Tennis Championship came to a close with No. 4 Morgan State, No. 3 Howard and No. 2 Delaware State all advance to the semifinal round on April 26 joining No. 1 South Carolina State who received a first-round bye.
No. 5 Morgan State won the opportunity to face No. 1 South Carolina State in match six, while No. 2 Delaware State takes on No. 3 Howard in match seven. Both matches will broadcast live on ESPN+ beginning at 9:00 a.m.
No. 2 Delaware State defeated No. 7 Coppin State 4-0
Delaware State turned in the first result of the tournament, defeating a short-handed Coppin State squad 4-0. As a result, the Hornets entered the match needing one doubles and one singles win to decide the game.
The DSU duo Golembiovski/Mitolo won 6-0 at No. 2 doubles against CSU’s Kaounde/Johnson, while Hornet teammates Jula/Kuehle led 4-1 over Etienne/Azarak at No. 1 doubles when the doubles point was claimed.
Norlani Lui won the deciding point defeating Shakia Johnson at No. 4 singles by a score of 6-0, 6-0.
No. 2 Delaware State advances to the semifinals to face No. 3 Howard on Friday, April 26, at 9 a.m.
No 4. Morgan State defeated No. 5 North Carolina Central 4-3
No 4. Morgan State defeated No. 5 North Carolina Central in round one of the MEAC Women’s Tennis Championships in a close 4-3 decision that came down to the No. 6 singles match to decide the game.
North Carolina Central got on the scoreboard first after claiming the doubles point following pair of wins at No. 1 and 2 doubles. NCCU’s Houston/Bernier defeated MSU’s Hall/Smith (6-3) at No. 1 doubles, while teammates Hidalgo Vega/Hill overpowered Morgan State’s Jankovic/Mitchell 6-4 at No. 2 doubles. ?
Iva Jankovic gave Morgan State its first point of the match with a two-set win (6-2, 6-4) at No. 4 singles against Patricia Palencia. Averiana Mitchell added another point for MSU with a No. 5 singles victory against Isabelle Exsted (6-3, 6-2).
North Carolina Central’s Bernier tied the teams 2-2 after winning No. 3 singles against Hall (6-2, 6-4)
At No. 1 singles, Hidalgo Vega won the first set 6-4 against Evdokimova. After trailing Hidalgo Vega in the second set, Evdokimova made a comeback to force a seven-point tie break. Evdokimova had a 4-2 lead in the tiebreaker before Hildago Vega won four consecutive games to win the tiebreak 6-4, resulting in a 7-6 set two win. Hidalgo Vega’s victory at No. 1 singles put NCCU up 3-2.
The Bear’s Hanna Smith matched up against the Eagle’s Jade Houston for a three-set match at No. 2 singles. Houston won the first set in a seven-point tiebreaker (7-6 (7-4)). Smith won the next two sets 6-1, 6-2, tying the team score at three all forcing a clinch situation at No. 6 singles.
NCCU’s Lafilissa Joao took the first set over MSU’s Stefania Moysiadi 6-4 at No. 6 singles. After a 5-5 tie in the second set, Moysiadi won the next two games to pull a 7-5 win tying the score at one set each. In set three, Jaoa trailed 3-2 until Moysaidi opened a 3-2 lead over Joao in set three and won the next three games to win 6-2, clinching the match at 4-3 and advancing the Bears to the semifinals.
No. 4 Morgan State will match up against No. 1 South Carolina State in the semifinal match on Friday, April 26th at 9 a.m.
No. 3 Howard defeated No. 6 Norfolk State 4-1
Women’s action concluded with No. 3 Howard defeating No. 6 Norfolk State 4-1 to advance to the semifinals on Friday, April 26, where they will match up against No. 2 Delaware State at 9 a.m.
The Bison began by winning a pair of matches at No. 2 (Grayson/Stibbins def. I. Iurea/Stan 6-4) and No. 3 (Butcher/Hall def. Cottrell/S. Iurea 6-0) doubles to secure their first point of the match.
Imani Jean won at No. 6 singles defeating Cottrell in two sets (6-0, 6-1) for HU’s second point, while Nadia Pegram added a third point for Howard with a pair of 6-1 wins at No. 3 singles over Stan.
Gabriela Davidescu claimed the only team point for Norfolk State after winning at No. 1 singles against Sifa Butcher in two sets (6-0, 6-3).
Jordan Grayson sealed the Bison victory with a 6-2, 6-1 decision at No. 2 singles against Irena Ieura.
The semifinals will stream live on ESPN+.
For more information, please visit the Championship Central page.