Cernoch Clinches As Tar Heels Down Virginia, 4-2

Saturday, February 13

Champaign, Ill.

1 p.m. ET

North Carolina

Virginia (Semifinal)

Brian Cernoch

February 13, 2021 | Men's Tennis

Box Score Results (.pdf)

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.—Brian Cernoch won the clinching singles match as North Carolina's men's tennis team overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat Virginia, 4-2, on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the ITA Men's Team Indoor National Championships.

Cernoch also clinched the Tar Heel win over top-seeded Ohio State a year ago in the 2020 ITA Indoor Nationals.

The sixth-seeded Cavaliers (6-1) started afternoon by winning the doubles point, handing the second-seeded Tar Heels (5-0) their first such setback this season. Then, Virginia won the first singles match of the day over Benjamin Sigouin at No. 3, handing the Cavs a 2-0 lead.

Simon Soendergaard started the Carolina comeback, however, posting another solid singles performance to extend his solid spring season. Soendergaard beat Gianni Ross 6-2. 6-4 to put the Tar Heels on the scoreboard. Shortly thereafter, Rinky Hijikata beat Inaki Montes 6-3, 7-5 at No. 2 singles to tie the team score at two apiece.

Josh Peck beat Chris Rodesch 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to give UNC a 3-2 lead before Cernoch completed his 7-6 (8-6). 4-6, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles over Ryan Goetz to send the Tar Heels to the championship match.

Carolina will meet either TCU or Illinois on Sunday evening in the final.

Virginia vs North Carolina 2/13/2021
at Champaign, Ill. (Atkins Tennis Center)
#2 North Carolina 4, #7 Virginia 2

Singles competition
1. #2 William Blumberg (NC) vs. #29 Carl Soderlund (VA) 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 1-0, unfinished
2. #55 Rinky Hijikata (NC) def. Inaki Montes (VA) 6-3, 7-5
3. #106 J vd Schulenburg (VA) def. #41 Benjamin Sigouin (NC) 6-4, 6-0
4. Brian Cernoch (NC) def. Ryan Goetz (VA) 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 6-2
5. #100 Josh Peck (NC) def. Chris Rodesch (VA) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
6. Simon Soendergaard (NC) def. Gianni Ross (VA) 6-2, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. #6 William Blumberg/Brian Cernoch (NC) def. Carl Soderlund/William Woodall (VA) 6-4
2. Ryan Goetz/Chris Rodesch (VA) def. #5 Mac Kiger/Simon Soendergaard (NC) 6-3
3. Inaki Montes/J vd Schulenburg (VA) def. Rinky Hijikata/Benjamin Sigouin (NC) 6-4

Match Notes:
Virginia 6-1; National ranking #7
North Carolina 5-0; National ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (,3,6,2,5,4) ITA National Team Indoors Semifinals
T-2:53

FINAL SCORE Carolina 4 UVA 2 Cernoch d. Goetz 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 to clinch a berth in @ITA_Tennis Indoor Final versus Baylor or Illinois Sunday at 7:30 pm EST. Cernoch also clinched last year's National Indoor Semifinal match vs. Ohio St. #ITAIndoors pic.twitter.com/4xozu65225
— UNC Men's Tennis 🐏🎾 (@carolinatennis) February 13, 2021