University of North Carolina Athletics
Undefeated Tar Heels, Gamecocks Serve Up Border Battle
February 13, 2006 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 13, 2006
Chapel Hill, N.C. - South Carolina and North Carolina resume the "border battle" on Monday afternoon in Columbia, S.C. The Tar Heels (9-0, ranked 27th) and Gamecocks (6-0, ranked 11th) enter the match with unblemished records. This will be the first meeting since 1992 in which both teams enter the match ranked among the nation's top 30.
Today's match will feature the highest rated Gamecock squad UNC will have faced since losing to 9th ranked South Carolina, 6-1, on February 13, 1999. In the new millennium, the Tar Heels have defeated higher ranked USC squads in both 2000 (#51 over #25) and 2004 (#36 over #19).
Coach Sam Paul, a native of Lancaster, S.C. returns to his home state and the city where he served as assistant coach from 1985-87. The series has been extremely competitive during Paul's 12 years as head coach. The Tar Heels hold a 7-5 series lead over the Gamecocks during that time with neither team winning more than two consecutive meetings.
The Tar Heels have won the last two match-ups. Last season in Chapel Hill, Carolina raced out to a 4-0 lead on the strength of straight set singles wins from Derek Porter, Sebastian Guejman and Raian Luchici. The teams split three set matches at number two and three singles and Jamie Cueller beat Benjamin Carlotti at No. 4 singles to account for the final 5-2 margin.
Two years ago in Columbia, the two teams were a combined 19-1 heading into the March 2 match. UNC handed 19th ranked South Carolina its first loss, 6-1. North Carolina won the doubles point and the top four singles matches in straight sets.
The 2006 Tar Heels are off to their best start since Don Skakle's 1973 team won its first 13 matches. Sophomore Benjamin Carlotti continues to set the pace with a 7-0 singles record this spring. Senior Raian Luchici, rated 5th nationally, has defeated seven ranked opponents (five among the nation's top 25) this season. Senior Derek Porter's only dual match loss this season was to 14th ranked Sheeva Parbhu (Notre Dame) in three sets. Sophomore Will Plyler has achieved perfection (6-0, 6-0 victories) in three dual matches thus far. Plyler has lost a total of 10 games in his last five victories.
Today's match will be played indoors (on four courts) at the USC Indoor Tennis Facility at the corner of Whaley and Heyward Street. Match time is 2 p.m.
Players Mentioned
