University of North Carolina Athletics
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South Carolina
Women's Tennis Comes From Behind For Another Win
March 6, 2001 | Women's Tennis
March 6, 2001
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina women's tennis team defeated the 18th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, 4-3 in a match that lasted over four hours. The Tar Heels, now 8-1 for the season, lost the doubles point for the first time in eight matches before rallying for the victory.
The 19th-ranked Tar Heels were led by clutch performances from Caroline Hill and Kendrick Bunn. Hill, playing at No. 6 singles, dropped the first set before winning the next two, including a tiebreaker in the third. Bunn defeated South Carolina's Lynn-Yin Tan 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 to clinch the match for Carolina. At 4-2 in the third set, 12 deuce points were played before Tan broke Bunn's serve. Hill and Bunn both played with ankle injuries.
Marlene Mejia, who is ranked 12th by the ITA, struggled early in the match against 63rd-ranked Katarina Markovski. Mejia trailed 0-3 in the first set before rebounding for a 7-6(0), 6-2 victory. Kate Pinchbeck continued her impressive play at No. 2 singles with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Jennifer Radman. The sophomore is 20-4 in singles play this season.
Carolina Head Coach Roland Thornqvist was excited with his team's ability to fight back. "It looked grim. All year we've told the girls to be calm, poised and play smart tennis at the end. This was one of the more satisfying wins I've ever had as a coach," said Thornqvist.
The Tar Heels will be in Gainesville, Florida on Tuesday, March 13 to take on the 4th ranked Florida Gators at 5 p.m.
SINGLES
1. #12 Marlene Mejia d. #63 Katarina Markovski (SC) 7-6(0), 6-2
2. #91 Kate Pinchbeck d. Jennifer Radman (SC) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
3. Kathy Boyanovich (SC) d. Kristen Koenig 6-4, 6-3
4. #77 Kendrick Bunn d. Lynn-Yin Tan (SC) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
5. Tamara Sutton (SC) d. Courtney Zalinski 6-3, 7-5
6. Caroline Hill d. Leigh Eichelberger (SC) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(4)
DOUBLES
1. Boyanovich/Radman (SC) d. Marlene Mejia/Julie Rotondi 8-5
2. Eichelberger/Tan (SC) d. Kendrick Bunn/Kate Pinchbeck 8-4
3. Brown/Markovski (SC) d. Erin Neibling/Courtney Zalinski 8-6
