Nov. 5, 2000

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Sophomore Marlene Mejia advanced to the semifinals of the ITA Championship, going 4-0 thus far in the tournament. Mejia will face Maren Haus of Wake Forest in the semifinals Monday morning.

Mejia defeated Melissa Spencer of Murray State (6-1, 6-1), Paty Vega of East Tennessee State (6-2, 6-1), Agnes Wiski of Tennessee (6-2, 6-2) and Kathy Sell of Duke (3-6, 7-6, 6-3).

Coach Roland Thornqvist said, "Marlene is not playing the best tennis that I have seen her play in the past, but she is one of the best competitors I've coached. She was patient today and made great decisions and that's paying off for her."

Freshman Julie Rotondi won three matches before falling to Janet Bergman of Wake Forest in the quarterfinals. Rotondi has compiled a 14-7 singles record in fall competition.

"Julie is playing great tennis right now and even though she lost, she showed tremendous shot-making abilities. She continues to get better every time out," said Coach Thornqvist.

Other Tar Heels that advanced were sophomores Kate Pinchbeck and Kendrick Bunn. Pinchbeck defeated Susan Ferguson of Eastern Kentucky 6-2, 6-0 and Megan Dunigan of Furman 6-2, 6-2. Pinchbeck lost to Kathy Sell of Duke in the round of 16.

Bunn defeated Jill Buckley of Kentucky 6-3, 6-4 before falling to Janet Bergman of Wake Forest.

In doubles action, the teams of Elina Bairos/Erin Niebling, Kendrick Bunn/Kate Pinchbeck and Marlene Mejia/Julie Rotondi all made it to the quarterfinals. Bairos/Niebling defeated Benhaim/Treme of Elon 8-2 and Buckley/Trefethen of Kentucky 9-8(3) before falling to Johnson/Miller of Duke 5-8.

Bunn/Pinchbeck defeated Azuara/Montano of Tennessee Martin 8-5, King/Zalinski of Western Carolina 8-0 and Adams/Cargill of Duke 9-7 before falling to Rookledge/Skeen of Kentucky 4-8.

Mejia/Rotondi defeated Haus/Houston of Wake Forest 8-6 and Dunigan/Moore of Furman 8-6 before falling to Castellvi/Ojeda of Tennessee 3-8.

Tomorrow's action will conclude Carolina's fall season. The Tar Heel spring season will begin on January 12, 2001 when the Tar Heels host the Carolina Indoor Invitational.