Jan. 14, 2001

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--The University of North Carolina's women's tennis team finished strong after a weekend of competition in the Carolina Indoor Invitational against Texas and William & Mary who are both ranked in the top fifteen. Carolina won five of their seven singles matches Sunday. For the entire weekend the Tar Heels dropped only five of their total 21 singles matches.

In singles action, no. 9 ranked sophomore Marlene Mejia defeated Ziva Grasic of Texas 6-2, 6-2 extending her record to 14-3 for the season. Kate Pinchbeck only dropped one game to Michelle Krinke of Texas 6-1, 6-0. Kristin Koenig defeated Shinozaki of Texas 6-0, 1-0 ret.

The Tar Heels won their two matches against William & Mary. Junior Caroline Hill came back to win her match in three sets after losing the first set against Lindsay Sullivan 2-6, 7-5, 6-1. No. 29 ranked Julie Rotondi defeated Nina Kamp 6-3, 6-1.

Senior Courtney Zalinski lost a tough three-set match against Rebekah Forney 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 and Elina Bairos fell to no. 37 ranked Vladka Uhlirova 7-5, 6-2.

The doubles duo of Koenig/Pinchbeck defeated Hicks/Shinozaki of Texas 8-1. The other two UNC doubles teams were not as successful. Bairos/Niebling lost to Smashie/Forney of Texas 8-5 and Hill/Zalinski fell to Sullivan/Olsen of William & Mary 8-4.

Head Coach Roland Thornqvist was really pleased with Carolina's play this weekend. "I'm really happy with how we played this weekend. We played well and looked physically fit. We need to work on our doubles but that is what a tournament is for. After seeing our level of play this weekend, I am very optimistic about this season."

The Tar Heels next match is home against Richmond on Saturday January 20 at 1 p.m.