Box Score WASHINGTON D.C. – The Norfolk State women's tennis team took its first conference loss of the season on Sunday, falling 5-2 against Howard to close out the MEAC Tennis Roundup.
 
The Spartans (10-9, 3-1 MEAC) swept the opening doubles point, but couldn't hold off Howard (6-7, 1-2) in singles play. Angelina Maniawska and Irina Iurea pulled off a 6-4 doubles victory at the No. 1 position, while Yuliya Yurkova and Carolina Nicholls won 6-2 at the No. 2 slot. Ines Sabadie and Sofiya Tsitavets cruised to a 6-2 win at the No. 3 position.
 
Jordan Grayson took down Nicholls 6-3, 6-3 to start singles, evening the match 1-1. Imani Jean defeated Sabadie 6-2, 6-1 on Court 4 to give Howard the lead, before Yurkova countered back with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Sifa Butcher 6-3, 6-3 on position two.
 
Howard's Nadia Pegram used a late surge to beat Tsitavets 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 at the top position. The Bison closed the matched with victories at the No. 5 and No. 6 position, as Ava Chambers bested Sabina Iurea 6-0, 6-4 and Selah Stibbins defeated Irina Iurea 7-5, 6-3.
 
Norfolk State returns home for a 12 p.m. matchup against Hampton on Tuesday, Apr. 1 at 12 p.m.
 
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