May 9, 2008

CHAPEL HILL --- No. 14 North Carolina eased its way into the NCAA second round with a 4-0 win over South Carolina State Friday at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center. The Tar Heels got singles wins from Austin Smith, Laura Reichert and Meg Fanjoy to clinch the victory. The win was Carolina's eighth consecutive opening-round NCAA Tournament triumph.

UNC (18-8) opened play against South Carolina State (13-4) by rolling to a pair of doubles wins. No. 58 Katrina Tsang and Smith were first off with an 8-1 win over Andrea Davidova and Daria Sekerina at the No. 2 position. No. 15 Sanaz Marand and Sophie Grabinski then secured the point with an 8-1 win over Mirian Cruz and Marcela Rodezno at No. 1.

Singles play was more of the same, as the Tar Heels rolled into Saturday's second round meeting with No. 17 Arkansas. No. 94 Smith made it 2-0 with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Davidova at No. 3. Reichert was next off with an impressive 6-1, 6-1 decision at No. 4. Fanjoy ended the match when she finished her 6-1, 6-1 win over Iveta Blodniece at No. 6.

Carolina will be looking for its fourth straight trip to the Sweet 16 when the Tar Heels and Lady Razorbacks meet Saturday at 4 p.m. Arkansas won the only previous NCAA meeting between the schools, a 5-2 victory in the opening round in 2000.

DOUBLES
1. #15 Marand/Grabinski def. Cruz/Rodezno, 8-2
2. #58 Smith/Tsang def. Davidova/Sekerina, 8-1
3. Jurewitz/Reichert led Chen/Torres, 4-2
Order of finish: 2,1

SINGLES
1. #9 Sanaz Marand led Mirian Cruz, 6-3, 4-1
2. #28 Katrina Tsang led Marcela Rodezno, 6-3, 4-3
3. #94 Austin Smith def. Andrea Davidova, 6-3, 6-0
4. Laura Reichert def. Sarai Torres, 6-1, 6-1
5. Sophie Grabinski led Daria Sekerina, 6-1, 4-3
6. Meg Fanjoy def. Iveta Blodniece, 6-1, 6-1
Order of finish: 3,4,6