Feb. 13, 2000

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Despite another victory at No. 1 singles by freshman Marlene Mejia, North Carolina's women's tennis team dropped its second dual match in a row Sunday, losing to No. 14 Tennessee by a score of 6-3.

Mejia, ranked No. 52 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's singles rankings, defeated No. 55 Alison Ojeda in straight sets (6-2, 6-0). Mejia also won at No. 1 singles Saturday versus Kentucky.

Mejia also teamed with junior Erin Niebling to win at No. 1 doubles, defeating the Lady Vols' tandem of Ojeda and Vilmarie Castellvi (8-5).

Niebling provided the Tar Heels' other victory of the day, besting Candy Reid at No. 5 singles (6-1, 6-2).

No. 28 North Carolina falls to 1-2 with the loss, while Tennessee moves to 6-1.

"This was another match where we had the talent to win, but we have to learn how to play better tennis at the end of a dual match," said Carolina head coach Roland Thornqvist. "We have the talent to beat these top-15 teams, but we have to learn to play better in the crunch. We're hungry to get back and play Richmond Thursday. We had some outstanding play from our freshman at No. 1 singles, who beat two top-ranked players on the road this weekend. This team will grow together and improve. It's a team of great individuals."

The Heels return to action Thursday, Feb. 17 when they host the No. 61 Richmond Spiders at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center at 5 p.m.

No. 14 Tennessee 6, No. 28 North Carolina 3
Singles
1. No. 52 Marlene Mejia (UNC) def. No. 55 Alison Ojeda (UT), 6-2, 6-0
2. No. 50 Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) def. Jessica Zaganczyk (UNC), 7-5, 6-0
3. Agnes Wiski (UT) def. No. 101 Kendrick Bunn (UNC), 6-7, 6-1, 6-4
4. Meiling Parks (UT) def. Kate Pinchbeck (UNC), 6-1, 6-1
5. Erin Niebling (UNC) def. Candy Reid (UT), 6-1, 6-2
6. Crystal Cleveland (UT) def. Caroline Hill (UNC), 6-4, 6-1

Doubles
1. Mejia/Niebling (UNC) def. Ojeda/Castellvi (UT), 8-5
2. Wiski/Reid (UT) def. No. 50 Bunn/Pinchbeck (UNC), 8-4
3. Cleveland/Parks (UT) Zaganczyk/Courtney Zalinski (UNC), 8-6