April 17, 2007

CARY, N.C. --- The No. 11 North Carolina women's tennis team will look for its first Atlantic Coast Conference title since 2002 when the Tar Heels open play at the ACC Championship Friday afternoon at 3 at the Cary Tennis Park. Carolina, the No. 3 seed in the tournament, will face the winner of 11th-seeded Maryland and sixth-seeded Wake Forest. The Terrapins and Demon Deacons meet Thursday at 3 p.m.

Carolina finished regular season play with an 8-3 conference mark, matching its record from a season ago. The Tar Heels closed with a flourish, winning four straight over ranked opponents, including a 5-2 victory over No. 9 Miami.

UNC has been strong throughout 2007, with all six singles players posting at least a .500 record. Leading the way is a pair of talented freshmen in Katrina Tsang and Sanaz Marand. Tsang has played at the No. 2 position from start to finish, compiling a sparkling 9-1 record along the way. Marand has also been outstanding, wrapping up league play with a 9-2 mark at No. 6. The other Tar Heel who has played at the same position all season is Jenna Long. Long, currently ranked No. 6 in the nation in singles, posted an 8-3 record at No. 1.

The Tar Heels have thrived in doubles play as well, winning the point in eight of 11 league matches. Long and fellow senior Sara Anundsen have led the way with a 6-1 record at No. 1. Both Long and Anundsen, who make up the No. 3 doubles tandem in the nation, have also posted a perfect 4-0 doubles record playing with other partners. Marand and Caitlin Collins have added six doubles wins in ACC play, including a 4-0 mark at No. 1. Austin Smith and Meg Fanjoy round things out with a 5-1 record at No. 3.