CARY, N.C. – The Norfolk State women's tennis team advanced to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship match for the first time in 18 years with a 4-1 victory over defending champion South Carolina State in the semifinals on Friday morning at Cary Tennis Park.

With the win, the Spartans improve to 16-9 overall and will now compete for the first MEAC title in program history.

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INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

Norfolk State secured the early advantage by claiming the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead.

The top flight duo of Yuliya Yurkova and Julia Daroszewska earned a 6-2 victory over Ashikha Amalnathan and Cassandra Lecoanet at No. 1 doubles. Regina Urbiola and Yana Klimchuk followed with a 6-1 win at No. 3 over Iriela Rajaobelina and Danica Nedeljkovic to clinch the point.

Ines Sabadie and Angelina Maniawska trailed 5-2 at No. 2 doubles when play was halted.

The Spartans carried that momentum into singles play, winning three matches to secure the 4-1 team victory.

Yurkova extended the lead to 2-0 with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Amalnathan at No. 2 singles. Urbiola followed with an identical 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 3 over Valeria Teran to give Norfolk State a commanding 3-0 advantage.

South Carolina State responded with a win at No. 1 singles to make it 3-1, but MEAC Rookie of the Year Yana Klimchuk clinched the match at No. 4 singles. Klimchuk defeated Lecoanet 6-4, 6-1 to send the Spartans to the championship round.

UP NEXT 

Norfolk State will face top-seeded Morgan State in the MEAC Women's Tennis Championship match on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Cary Tennis Park. Fans can follow live scoring on IOnCourt and watch the match live on ESPN+.