Jan. 12, 2001

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The UNC Women's Tennis team was successful against no. 6 Texas and no. 15 William & Mary in the first day of competition for the Carolina Indoor Invitational.

The Tar Heels won five of their seven singles matches. Carolina dominated top positions defeating two Texas players. At the no. 1 spot, sophomore Marlene Mejia defeated Smashie 6-2, 6-0 and at no. 3 sophomore Kate Pinchbeck defeated Uhlirova 6-4, 6-0.

In other singles play, no. 6 Caroline Hill shut out Hicks from Texas 6-0, 6-0. Julie Rotondi beat Forney of Texas 6-0, 6-3 and Kristin Koenig defeated Arthur of William & Mary 6-4, 6-4. Koenig increases her record to 9-4 for the season.

Head Coach Roland Thornqvist said, "the most impressive win came from Kristin Koenig's upset of William & Mary's no. 2 player. This is the best tennis Kristin has played since she joined us two years ago. I am happy to see all the things she has been working on to start clicking."

Elina Bairos lost a tough match to Grasic of Texas 7-5, 7-6 and Courtney Zalinski fell to Sullivan of William & Mary 6-3, 6-4.

In doubles action, UNC won two out of their four matches. At the no. 2 position Mejia/Rotondi defeated Smashie/Forney of Texas 8-3 and no. 4 position of Hill/Zalinski defeated Partlow/Olsen of William & Mary 8-2.

No. 1 position Koenig/Pinchbeck lost to Arthur/Sullivan of William & Mary 9-7 and no. 3 position Bairos/Erin Niebling fell in a close match to Grasic/Krinke of Texas 9-8.

"We had a great day but have another day of tough matches tomorrow. Hopefully we can carry over today's performance for tomorrow's play," said Coach Thornqvist.

The Tar Heels continue play tomorrow starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center.