April 15, 2001

ATLANTA, Ga.--The 20th-ranked North Carolina women's tennis team edged Georgia Tech, 4-3, Sunday afternoon at Bill Moore Tennis Center in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Carolina earned the critical doubles point despite the loss from 50th-ranked Kendrick Bunn and Kate Pinchbeck at No. 1. The senior duo at No. 3 defeated Koon and Miller 8-5 in their last regular season match, improving their record to 12-4. In addition, 35th-ranked Marlene Mejia and Julie Rotondi defeated Ozolins/Wong of Georgia Tech, 8-5 at No. 2.

The Tar Heels and Yellow Jackets split singles, each claiming three victories. Fourteenth ranked Mejia defeated Reynolds in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1. Mejia ends the regular season with a 14-5 singles record at No. 1. No. 75 ranked Pinchbeck defeated Yellow Jacket sophomore Wong 6-4, 6-2 at No. 3 and freshman Lee Bairos clinched the victory with her defeat over Miller in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 at No. 5 singles.

Tar Heel losses came from second-seeded Rotondi, fourth-seeded Kristin Koenig and six-seeded Zalinski.

Carolina is 15-5 overall and 6-2 in the ACC with losses coming from Duke and Wake Forest. The Tar Heels will compete in the ACC Championships in Orlando, Fla., April 19-22.

North Carolina 4, Georgia Tech 3

Singles:

1. #14 Marlene Mejia def. Debbie Reynolds (GT) 6-4, 6-3

2. Mysti Morris (GT) def. #51 Julie Rotondi 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2

3. #75 Kate Pinchbeck def. Jamie Wong (GT) 6-4, 6-2

4. Bobbi Guthrie (GT) def. Kristin Koenig 2-6, 6-4, 6-3

6. Laura Ozolins (GT) def. Courtney Zalinski 6-4, 6-3

Doubles:

1. Guthrie/Morris (GT) def. #50 Kendrick Bunn/Pinchbeck 8-4

2. #35 Mejia/Rotondi def. Ozolins/Wong (GT) 8-5

3. Erin Niebling/Zalinski def. Fallon Koon/Miller (GT) 8-5