Cary, N.C. (Feb. 24, 2024) – The Lady Pirates defeated the North Carolina Central Eagles in a tight 4-3 thriller that came down to the final pairing.

This is the first time in school history that the Lady Pirates have defeated the NCCU Eagles. Hampton has now won four duals in a row, something the team hasn't done since the 2017-2018 season.

Doubles

The Lady Pirates fell in two out of the three doubles matches. Candice Bernier and Patricia Palencia defeated Mio Kozaki and Diana Starodubtseva by a score of 6-4. Masa Mitic and Lucia Jorrin Fernandez fell to Alejandra Hidalgo and Kennedy Hill (6-2). Sofia Sokolova and Meiri Okuwaki won their doubles match against Lafi Joao and Gabriela Meija (6-3). Sokolova leads the team with a 3-2 doubles record despite multiple partners.

Singles

Kozaki continues to be on a tear in singles play as she defeated Hidalgo (6-1, 6-2) to remain undefeated at 5-0. Starodubtseva fell to Bernier (6-4, 6-0) and Okuwaki lost to Hill (6-4,). Jorrin Fenrnadez took care of business and beat Palencia to increase her season record to 4-1. Sokolova won the fifth match against Isabelle Exsted (6-3, 6-2).

Mitic, a freshman from Nis, Serbia, competed in the final spot for the Lady Pirates. Despite a back-and-forth match, Mitic persevered and won in three sets .6-2, 4-6, and 6-3 to clinch the win for the Lady Pirates. Okuwaki, Sokolova, and Mitic all have three single wins this season.

Doubles Matches

Bernier /Palencia (NCCU) d. Kozaki / Starodubtseva (HU) 6-4
Hidalgo /Hill (NCCU) d. Mitic / Jorrin Fernandez (HU) 6-2
Sokolova / Okuwaki (HU) d. Joao / Mejia (NCCU) 6-3

Singles Competition

Kozaki (HU) d. Hidalgo (NCCU) 6-1, 6-2
Bernier (NCCU) d. Starodubtseva (HU) 6-4, 6-0
Hill (NCCU) d. Okuwaki (HU) 6-4, 6-4
Jorrin Fernandez (HU) d. Palencia (NCCU) 6-4, 7-5  
Sokolova (HU) d. Exsted (NCCU) 6-3, 6-2
Mitic (HU) d. Mejia (NCCU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

Up Next

The Pirates compete at Elon tomorrow at noon at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.