April 11, 2002

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Atlantic Coast Conference recognized Kate Pinchbeck as the player of the week for the second time this season after she scored four singles victories to help lead the Tar Heels' women's tennis team to the top of the ACC standings last week.

Pinchbeck lost only one set in beating No. 16 Janet Bergman of Wake Forest, No. 100 Jennifer Tuchband of Virginia, Maryland's Emily Marker and Notre Dame's Nina Vaughan. She also won the award for the week of March 18.

Pinchbeck now stands at 21-0 for the spring season and has played a primary role in Carolina's 11-match winning streak. Pinchbeck attributes her outstanding play to support from the team and her family, which has been visiting from Pinchbeck's native Australia.

"I think a major factor in the big win against Wake and Virginia and Maryland was that my family is here supporting me, especially my dad," Pinchbeck says. "I am so excited that he is here because he has coached me my whole life and this is the first time he has seen me play college tennis. I also think that the team support for each other is amazing right now and that is contributing to our success."

Pinchbeck's focus remains on maintaining Carolina's perfect ACC record, which stands at 6-0, and continuing to play well as a team throughout the rest of the season and postseason.

"I am glad that things are coming together for us right now," Pinchbeck says. "I hope it continues on for our last two ACC matches."

The seventh-ranked Tar Heels will face Clemson Friday afternoon at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center and finish the regular season at Duke on Sunday.