Tar Heels Turn Back Lady Pirates, 7-0

March 11, 2009

HILTON HEAD, S.C. - North Carolina, ranked No. 17 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) women's poll, did not drop a set in all six singles matches and lost just eight games in three doubles events to earn a 7-0 non-conference neutral site win over East Carolina Wednesday morning.

The loss snapped a four-match win streak for the Lady Pirates and dropped their record to 9-3. The Tar Heels improved their spring dual match mark to 11-4 with the victory.

North Carolina opened play by capturing the doubles point, using a pair of 8-2 triumphs at the No. 1 and No. 2 slots before Hanes Harris and Linzee Mabry completed the sweep with an 8-4 victory against Kristin Gordon and Tamara Sachs at the No. 3 position.

The Tar Heels continued their strong performance in the singles competition - dropping a combined nine games in five of the six matchups. Freshman Natalie Collins turned in the Lady Pirates' top effort, pushing Jelena Durisic before falling 7-5, 6-4 in a No. 2 meeting.

In other action, Sanaz Marand defeated Jessica Cook 6-1, 6-3 at No. 1, Laura Reichert handed Brooke Walter her first loss of the season with a 6-3, 6-1 score at No. 3, Jocelyn Ffriend rolled to a 6-0, 6-0 win over Rocio Cabanillas at No. 4, Meg Fanjoy posted a 6-0, 6-1 victory against Sachs at No. 5 and Stefi Gjine blanked Kristin Gordon 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6.

The Lady Pirates will take a nine-day break before resuming their schedule Friday, March 20 when they will face Gardner-Webb in a 3 p.m. match at Boiling Springs, N.C.

NO. 17 NORTH CAROLINA 7, EAST CAROLINA 0
Singles Play
No. 1 - Sanaz Marand (UNC) def. Jessica Cook (ECU); 6-1, 6-3
No. 2 - Jelena Durisic (UNC) def. Natalie Collins (ECU); 7-5, 6-4
No. 3 - Laura Reichert (UNC) def. Brooke Walter (ECU); 6-3, 6-1
No. 4 - Jocelyn Ffriend (UNC) def. Rocio Cabanillas (ECU); 6-0, 6-0
No. 5 - Meg Fanjoy (UNC) def. Tamara Sachs (ECU); 6-0, 6-1
No. 6 - Stefi Gjine (UNC) def. Kristin Gordon (ECU); 6-0, 6-0
Doubles Play
No. 1 - Sophie Grabinski/Marand (UNC) def. Collins/Cook (ECU); 8-2
No. 2 - Haley Hemm/Austin Smith (UNC) def. Cabanillas/Walter (ECU); 8-2
No. 3 - Hanes Harris/Linzee Mabrey (UNC) def. Gordon/Sachs (ECU); 8-4
Team Records: East Carolina 9-3, North Carolina 11-4

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