FLORENCE, S.C. – The Savannah State women's tennis team opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play Sunday with two matches on neutral courts in Florence, South Carolina.

The Lady Tigers fell to North Carolina A&T 2-5 in the opening game and dropped the second match 0-7 to South Carolina State.

In singles action, SSU senior Esmira Gheisary defeated North Carolina A&T's Victorea Austin in the second courts with a tie-breaker decision. Ghesiary took the first set 7-6, but fell in the second 5-7. She garnered the win with a 10-8 decision in the tie-breaker.

In the first courts, junior Sandra Kristjansdottir fell to Kimberly Stalling in straight sets, 0-6 and 0-6. Playing in the third courts, SSU newcomer Andrea Pavlovic defeated Nianna Henry due to retirement in the second set.

Nicole Ashiedu, in the fourth court, fell to Jayla Scott 1-6 and 1-6.  SSU senior Davita Washington fell to April Burrage in the fifth position, 0-6 and 2-6. A&T's Takeyrah Reid defeated Tiffany Williams in the six court 1-6, and 1-6.

The doubles team of Gheisary and Pavlovic defeated A&T's Burrage and Scott in the number two position 8-5. In the first court, the SSU team of Kristjansdottir and Ashiedu fell to Henry and Stalling 4-8. Rounding out double's action, Washington and Williams fell to Austin and Reid 5-8.

In the nightcap, Kristjansdottir conceded in the second set to Maria Craciun in the first court after falling 0-6 in the first set. Pavlovic retired in the second set to Nataliya Dyatlova after falling 2-4 in the opening set.

In the third court, Gheisary conceded in the second set to Klara Dohnalova after falling in the first set 0-6. Ashiedu fell to Victoriia Khatcei in straight sets, 0-6 and 0-6 in the fourth position.

Playing in the fifth court, Washington fell to Laura Bosneag 0-6 and 0-6. Rounding out the singles action, Williams fell to Irina Cvijovic 0-6 and 0-6 in the sixth position.

In doubles action, the SSU team of Kristjansdottir and Ashiedu fell, 0-8, to the team of Craciun and Dohnalova in the first court.

Gheisary and Pavlovic retired the second court to the team of Katarina Barborikova and Cvijovic. Washington and Williams fell to Bosneag and Khatcei in the third court, 0-8.

The Lady Tigers return to action on Monday with two MEAC games.  SSU is set to play North Carolina Central at 10 a.m. and Florida A&M at 3 p.m. in Florence, South Carolina.