NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's tennis team earned its fourth consecutive victory on Friday afternoon, taking down a fierce rival in the process.
 
The Spartans (9-7, 3-0 MEAC) defeated Hampton (2-11) in a 5-2 result at NSU Tennis Complex behind a tremendous singles showing. After dropping the opening doubles point, NSU won five of the six singles matches that followed.

Sophomore Frederick McRae earned his eighth consecutive victory at the No. 4 singles spot, while freshmen Deniz Okyay and Antoni Pankowski increased their win streaks to four at the No. 3 and No. 5 positions, respectively.

Pankowski and freshman Jakub Solarski teamed up to win 6-2 at the No. 2 doubles slot, but Hampton came up with a 6-3 victory on Court 3 in response. The Pirates narrowly won the doubles point with a 7-6 (3) triumph at the top position.
 
Solarski continued his spectacular day by defeating Daniel Flynn 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 at the No. 2 singles position, before Okyay took down Donte Armbrister 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to put the Spartans back in front.
 
Hampton tied the match 2-2 in thrilling fashion, as Emiliano Jorquera bested Vladisav Gorbatenko 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 at the top of the lineup. Norfolk State regained control quickly, though, as McRae beat Shine Tokas 6-1, 6-1 on Court 4.
 
Pankowski clinched the match for the Spartans with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Aryan Arora at the No. 5 slot, before Boris Lunin cruised past Benjamin Mwanza 6-0, 6-0 on Court 6 for good measure.
 
Norfolk State hits the road for a crucial test against South Carolina State on Monday, Apr. 1 at 10 a.m. The Bulldogs have won three consecutive conference championships, defeating the Spartans 4-1 in last year's MEAC Tournament Semifinals.
 
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