March 31, 2001

CHAPEL HILLÑThe fourteenth ranked University of North Carolina womenÕs tennis team defeated No. 55 Florida State 6-1, Saturday in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels won five of six singles matches and took the doubles point in their first ACC match of the season.

UNC was led by strong singles play from Marlene Mejia, Kate Pinchbeck, and Julie Rotondi. Mejia defeated FSUÕs Alida Gallovits 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1 singles. Pinchbeck beat Samantha Schoeffel 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Pinchbeck is 7-1 in her last eight singles matches. Rotondi cruised past Jessica Balbuena 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3 singles.

Kendrick Bunn and Kristin Koenig were both victorious, despite dropping the first sets at No. 5 and 6 singles, respectively. Bunn defeated Nanette Duxin 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, and Koenig topped Marina Raic 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Carolina won the doubles point by taking two of three matches from the Seminoles. At No. 1 doubles, Kendrick Bunn and Kate Pinchbeck defeated Schoeffel/Balbuena, 8-4. UNC seniors Erin Niebling and Courtney Zalinski teamed for an 8-4 victory over Raic/Denny at No. 3 doubles.

Head Coach Roland Thornqvist liked his teamÕs ability to deliver when the match was on the line. "IÕm really pleased with how we were able to come through in the three set matches. A week ago against Tennessee we struggled in the three set matches. Today, we got stronger and tougher as the matches went on."

The Tar Heels will be in action again on Monday, April 2 when they host Duke University at 3p.m.

SINGLES: No. 1 Marlene Mejia d. Alida Gallovits (FSU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 No. 2 Kate Pinchbeck d. Samantha Schoeffel (FSU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 No. 3 Julie Rotondi d. Jessica Balbuena (FSU) 6-1, 6-2 No. 4 Christina Denny (FSU) d. Lee Bairos 6-0, 6-4 No. 5 Kendrick Bunn d. Nanette Duxin(FSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 No. 6 Kristin Koenig d. Marina Raic (FSU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

DOUBLES: No. 1 Bunn/Pinchbeck d. Schoeffel/Balbuena(FSU) 8-4 No. 2 Duxin/Gallovits(FSU) d. Mejia/Rotondi 8-4 No. 3 Erin Niebling/Courtney Zalinski d. Raic/Denny(FSU) 8-4