April 19, 2002

Raleigh, N.C. - Sweltering heat and a slow start in doubles didn't stop the Tar Heels from advancing to the second round of the ACC tournament Friday, as they defeated the Florida State Seminoles, 4-1.

Julie Rotondi and Kate Pinchbeck led the way, both winning their matches in straight sets. Rotondi's victory extended her winning streak to 14 straight matches while Pinchbeck's victory improves her record to 23-1. Rotondi said the heat began to take its toll on the players, but the team is prepared for adverse playing conditions.

"After those long points, you wish you could sit down," she said. "But, we've had long practices in the heat this week that have prepared us for the tournament."

Eighth-seeded Florida State took an early lead with the doubles point, but two Carolina freshmen made sure to seal the deal in singles. Kendall Cline easily swept Meredith Fish at flight six and Aniela Mojzis clinched the match with a victory over Jessica Balbuena at flight four. The remainder of the matches were suspended after Carolina clinched the win.

The No. 2 seed Tar Heels will face the winner of today's Virginia/Wake Forest match, which is still in progress, at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Singles:

1. Marlene Mejia (UNC) vs. Anca Dumitrescu (FSU), 2-6, 6-2, susp.

2. Kate Pinchbeck (UNC) d. Alida Gallovits (FSU), 6-2, 6-2

3. Julie Rotondi (UNC) d. Christina Denny (FSU), 6-3, 6-1

4. Aniela Mojzis (UNC) d. Jessica Balbuena (FSU), 7-5, 6-1*

5. Lee Bairos (UNC) vs. Lauren Walker (FSU), 6-7 (7-5), susp.

Doubles:

1. Balbuena/Walker (FSU) d. Mejia/Rotondi (UNC), 8-3

2. Gallovits/Denny (FSU) d. Cline/Mojzis (FSU), 8-5

3. Pinchbeck/Bairos (UNC) d. Dumitrescu/Lawrence (FSU), 8-6