May 2, 2007

CHAPEL HILL --- The No. 11 North Carolina women's tennis team received a school-record five individual NCAA berths when selections were announced Wednesday afternoon. The Tar Heels will send three players to the 64-player singles draw for the third time in school history and the first time since 2003. Two Carolina teams will play in the 32-team doubles draw for the first time in school history.

Leading the way for UNC is No. 10 Jenna Long. The Fremont, Calif., senior enters the singles tournament as a No. 9-16 seed. This selection is her second straight into the singles tournament and her first as a seeded player. By virtue of entering the tournament as a seeded player, Long already earns All-America honors.

Joining Long in the singles draw are a pair of freshmen - No. 45 Katrina Tsang and No. 50 Sanaz Marand. The selection of the two first year players marks the first time in school history that two freshman have earned a spot in the NCAA singles draw.

On the doubles side, Long will join fellow senior Sara Anundsen as the No. 2 overall seed. The pair advanced to the NCAA semifinals last year and will earn All-America honors for the second straight year by virtue of their seed. Additionally, senior Caitlin Collins and Marand, the No. 29 doubles tandem in the nation, also earned an invitation into the doubles draw. This marks the first time in school history that two doubles teams have earned an NCAA bid.

The singles and doubles competition will be conducted May 23-28 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Georgia, following the conclusion of the team championship (May 18-22). Carolina opens team play May 13 at home against Marist.