University of North Carolina Athletics
Tuesday, October 16
Cary, N.C.
9:00 AM
North Carolina
vs
ITA Carolinas Regional Finals
Josh Peck reached the semis in singles and doubles at the ITA Carolinas Regional.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Tar Heels Wrap Up Valuable Tournament
October 16, 2018 | Men's Tennis
CARY, N.C. – North Carolina wrapped up play at the ITA Carolinas Regional men's tennis tournament Tuesday with a runner-up finish in doubles, a semifinal spot in singles and a lot of optimism about the spring season ahead.
"Overall it was a great tournament for us," UNC coach Sam Paul said. "We had some guys have their best performance since they've been at Carolina, and we learned a lot about the team. We're moving forward in what we want to accomplish in the spring."
Seniors Anu Kodali and Blaine Boyden teamed to reach the finals in doubles. They fell Tuesday morning to UNC Asheville's Henry Patten and Oli Nolan, 6-2, 3-6, 1-0(8) in the championship match, but showed great promise as they look toward their final spring at UNC. "The growth they've had since they were freshmen is outstanding," Paul said.
Junior Josh Peck, who won the singles title at the Gamecock Fall Invite last month, reached the semifinals in both singles and doubles. In doubles he teamed with sophomore Mac Kiger, who also reached the Round of 16 in singles.
The success that Boyden and Kodali had over the weekend was even more special because it happened so close to home: Boyden is from Raleigh and Kodali from Durham. "This is the best I've ever played here," said Kodali, who trained at Cary Tennis Park before he came to UNC and drove past his house as he traveled to Cary from the UNC campus for each day of the tournament. "For me, this is my best fall so far, preparation-wise. I've matured and as a senior, I'm trying to be a leader for the team with the things I do."
Fall play continues through October and into early November, wrapping up with the Wake Forest Invitational Nov. 9-11. After that, the Tar Heels turn their attention to the spring, and after last weekend, they'll do so with excitement.
"Everybody on the team is in on the same goal, everyone is pushing each other," Kodali said. "We're working together and everyone is working hard."
"Overall it was a great tournament for us," UNC coach Sam Paul said. "We had some guys have their best performance since they've been at Carolina, and we learned a lot about the team. We're moving forward in what we want to accomplish in the spring."
Seniors Anu Kodali and Blaine Boyden teamed to reach the finals in doubles. They fell Tuesday morning to UNC Asheville's Henry Patten and Oli Nolan, 6-2, 3-6, 1-0(8) in the championship match, but showed great promise as they look toward their final spring at UNC. "The growth they've had since they were freshmen is outstanding," Paul said.
Junior Josh Peck, who won the singles title at the Gamecock Fall Invite last month, reached the semifinals in both singles and doubles. In doubles he teamed with sophomore Mac Kiger, who also reached the Round of 16 in singles.
The success that Boyden and Kodali had over the weekend was even more special because it happened so close to home: Boyden is from Raleigh and Kodali from Durham. "This is the best I've ever played here," said Kodali, who trained at Cary Tennis Park before he came to UNC and drove past his house as he traveled to Cary from the UNC campus for each day of the tournament. "For me, this is my best fall so far, preparation-wise. I've matured and as a senior, I'm trying to be a leader for the team with the things I do."
Fall play continues through October and into early November, wrapping up with the Wake Forest Invitational Nov. 9-11. After that, the Tar Heels turn their attention to the spring, and after last weekend, they'll do so with excitement.
"Everybody on the team is in on the same goal, everyone is pushing each other," Kodali said. "We're working together and everyone is working hard."
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