Feb. 12, 2000

LEXINGTON, Ky. - North Carolina's 28th-ranked women's tennis team lost its first dual match of the season Saturday, falling to 22nd-ranked Kentucky by a score of 5-4.

The Tar Heels (1-1) were led by freshman Marlene Mejia, who defeated Carolina Mayorga at No. 1 singles (6-0, 6-0), and senior Jessica Zaganczyk, who bested Sarah Witten at No. 2 singles (6-4, 6-2). Mejia is ranked No. 52 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's singles rankings.

Carolina's other victories came from junior Erin Niebling, victorious at No. 6 singles over Lauren Rookledge (3-6, 6-3, 6-4), and the doubles tandem of Zaganczyk and freshman Kendrick Bunn, who defeated Rookledge and Amy Trefethen at No. 3 doubles (9-7).

"We let one slip away from us," Tar Heel head coach Roland Thornqvist said. "We had some extraordinary opportunities to take a big lead in singles. Kentucky (3-1) is a very good doubles team, and we paid the price. We'll see how tough we are if we can bounce back against Tennessee tomorrow."

Carolina travels to Knoxville, Tenn., Sunday to take on the No. 14 Tennessee Lady Vols at 1 p.m.

UK 5, UNC 4
Singles

1. Marlene Mejia (#52), UNC def. Carolina Mayorga, UK  6-0, 6-0
2. Jess Zaganczyk, UNC def. Sarah Witten, UK           6-4, 6-2
3. Brooke Skeen, UK def. Kendrick Bunn (#101), UNC     6-3, 6-1
4. Amy Trefethen, UK def. Caroline Hill, UNC           6-4, 6-3
5. Jill Buckley, UK def. Courtney Zalinski, UNC        7-5, 7-6
6. Erin Niebling, UNC def. Lauren Rookledge, UK        3-6, 6-3, 6-4

1. Mayorga/Witten (#23), UK def. Mejia/Niebling, UNC   8-3
2. Skeen/Bradwell (#30), UK def. Zalinski/Hill, UNC    8-5
3. Zaganczyk/Bunn, UNC def. Rookledge/Trefethen, UK    9-7