Jan. 28, 2001

CHAPEL HILL--The University of North Carolina women's tennis team triumphed over No. 32 Kentucky, 6-1.

The No. 41 ranked Tar Heels went 5-1 in singles match play, three of which were three-set matches. Sophomore Kendrick Bunn and junior Kristin Koenig both lost their first set before winning their next two. Bunn defeated Lauren Rookledge 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 and Koenig defeated Leigh Bradwell 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Junior Caroline Hill won her first set, but lost her second set before defeating Jill Buckley 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. This win brought Hill's record to 15-3. Marlene Mejia and Kate Pinchbeck won both their matches in two sets.

Julie Rotondi had to retire in the third set against Brooke Skeen due to an ankle injury.

The doubles duos of Mejia/Rotondi and Erin Niebling/Elina Bairos defeated a tough Kentucky doubles team 8-4 and 9-8.

Head Coach Roland Thornqvist was pleased with the Tar Heels doubles improvement. "I am really pleased with how we performed today. Our doubles was a real improvement from two weeks ago at our Carolina Invitational. We played one of the best doubles teams in the country. I felt we were the best team on all three courts."

Coach Thornqvist went on to praise his singles players who won their close matches. "In singles, we did a great job winning in close sets by staying focused and on target."

Carolina's next match is away at Northwestern on February 10th at 11 a.m.

1. Marlene Mejia (UNC) d. Carolina Mayorga 6-1, 6-4

2. Brooke Skeen d. Julie Rotondi (UNC) 5-7, 6-4, 3-2 ret.

3. Kate Pinchbeck (UNC) d. Sarah Witten 6-2, 6-1

4. Kendrick Bunn (UNC) d. Lauren Rookledge 3-6, 7-5, 6-4

5. Kristin Koenig (UNC) d. Leigh Bradwell 3-6, 7-5, 6-3

6. Caroline Hill (UNC) d. Jill Buckley 7-5, 2-6, 6-2

1. Mejia/Rotondi (UNC) d. Skeen/Rookledge 8-4

2. Mayorga/Witten d. Bunn/Pinchbeck (UNC) 9-7

3. Erin Niebling/Elina Bairos (UNC) d. Bradwell/Shannon Stafford 9-8