North Carolina Central’s Valentina de Aquino and Carlota Rodriguez Sanchez lost 6-0, 6-2 to Army in the consolation quarterfinals at the ITA Conference Masters, closing out their run in Rome.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubles champions had advanced to the consolation bracket after an opening-round loss, nccueaglepride.com reported.
The tournament took place Nov. 5-8 at the Rome Tennis Center in Rome, Ga. De Aquino and Rodriguez Sanchez opened against Kansas’ Kyoka Kubo and Polina Koneva in the round of 32, according to bvmsports.com.
In the consolation bracket, the Eagles faced Pacific’s Indiya McLeod and Leyanne Hirota. After dropping the first set 7-6, they won the second 6-2 and secured a 10-7 victory in the 10-point tiebreaker, nccueaglepride.com reported. Army’s Olivia Mellynchuk and Emily Ruckno then ended their run.
The appearance made de Aquino and Rodriguez Sanchez the second Eagle women’s doubles team to compete at the ITA Conference Masters, marking the second consecutive year NCCU has been represented at the tournament, bvmsports.com reported. The event concluded the Eagles’ fall season.
What is the ITA Conference Masters? The ITA Conference Masters is a national collegiate tennis event. NCCU competed Nov. 5-8 at the Rome Tennis Center, with de Aquino and Rodriguez Sanchez representing the MEAC as its doubles champions.
Who defeated NCCU in the final match? Army’s Olivia Mellynchuk and Emily Ruckno beat de Aquino and Rodriguez Sanchez 6-0, 6-2 in the consolation quarterfinals, nccueaglepride.com reported.
What is next for the NCCU tennis team? The tournament closed the Eagles’ fall season. The team now prepares for the spring campaign, according to bvmsports.com.
The Eagles now turn to the spring campaign after sending a doubles team to the ITA Conference Masters two consecutive years.