Feb. 28, 2001

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.-- The 19th-ranked University of North Carolina women's tennis team is off to a great start this season. The Tar Heels improved to 7-1 after their 5-2 defeat of 16th-ranked William & Mary.

To begin play, UNC swept all three doubles matches. The Tar Heel duos of Marlene Mejia/Elina Bairos and Erin Niebling/Courtney Zalinski both defeated William & Mary 8-4. Niebling/Zalinski are now 5-0 for the season. The 25th-ranked Kendrick Bunn/Kate Pinchbeck took the No. 1 match, 8-6, to claim the team doubles point.

Head Coach Roland Thornqvist is proud of the Tar Heels doubles performance in their defeat today. "We played one of our better doubles matches, although not as sharp in singles. The team did a good job beating a feisty and well-coached William & Mary team. We look forward to outdoor practice in preparation for Tuesday's match against South Carolina."

The Tar Heels continued their success in singles action, winning four of the six matches. Sophomore Marlene Mejia, who is ranked 13th in the country, won quickly at No. 1, 6-0, 6-2. Other wins include No. 2 Kate Pinchbeck and No. 6 Courtney Zalinski in straight sets. Elina Bairos came back to defeat Nina Kamp 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 5 spot in three sets.

The 77th-ranked sophomore Kendrick Bunn was upset by Lindsay Sullivan 6-3, 6-3 and junior Kristin Koenig lost to William & Mary's Jessyca Arthur 6-3, 6-2.

The Tar Heels travel to Columbia, S.C. on Tuesday March 6th, to face the 18th-ranked Gamecocks.

SINGLES

1. #12 Marlene Mejia d. Carlijn Buis (W&M) 6-0, 6-2

2. #91 Kate Pinchbeck d. Delphine Troch (W&M) 6-4, 6-3

3. Jessyca Arthur (W&M) d. Kristin Koenig 6-3, 6-2

4. Lindsay Sullivan (W&M) d. #T77 Kendrick Bunn 6-3, 6-3

5. Elina Bairos d. Nina Kamp (W&M) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2

6. Courtney Zalinski d. Kelli Partlow (W&M) 6-1, 6-4

DOUBLES

1. # 25 Kendrick Bunn/Kate Pinchbeck d. Arthur/Troch (W&M) 8-6

2. Marlene Mejia/Elina Bairos d. Buis/Sullivan (W&M) 8-4

3. Erin Niebling/Courtney Zalinski d. Kamp/Partlow (W&M) 8-4