Spiders Drop Dual-Match Opener to #5 Tar Heels

Saturday, January 20

Williamsburg, Va

3PM

University of Richmond

#5 North Carolina

01/20/2018 | Women's Tennis

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The University of Richmond women's tennis team didn't shy away when scheduling for the 2018 dual match season.

The Spiders opened the season against No. 5 North Carolina on Saturday afternoon, battling but falling to the Tar Heels, 7-0.

"The team played well for our first match of the year," head coach Mark Wesselink said. "We fought hard against one of the top ranked teams of the country, and know we can play at this level."

The Tar Heels took the doubles point with wins at all three positions, but the Spiders gained valuable experience, with two of the three pairs – freshman Emily Dunbar and sophomore Dessi Zlateva, as well as freshman Adrienne Haynes and sophomore Lea Owens – playing their first dual match together.

Carolina continued its strong play in singles action, but a young Spider squad showed promise, as positions 1 through 4 were all played by either a freshman or sophomore.

"This match showed us that we still have work to do, but I liked our fight and our team chemistry is very strong," Wesselink added. "We are looking forward to one of the strongest schedules we've had as a program. This team is capable of winning a lot of matches this year."

The Spiders return to action next Friday, January 26, at Old Dominion. Match time in Norfolk is set for 1 p.m.

#5 North Carolina 7, Richmond 0
SINGLES
1. #9 Alle Sanford (UNC) def. Emily Dunbar (UR) – 6-2, 6-2
2. #11 MaKenna Jones (UNC) def. Dessi Zlateva (UR) – 6-4, 6-0
3. #38 Sara Daavetila (UNC) def. Lea Owens (UR) – 6-1, 6-4
4. Alexa Graham (UNC) def. Kiana Marshall (UR) – 6-1, 6-1
5. #124 Chloe Ouellet-Pizer (UNC) def. Gaby Rosales (UR) – 6-1, 6-2
6. Maria Akkerman (UNC) def. Ana Ramirez (UR) – 6-0, 6-1
Order of Finish: 6,4,1,5,2,3

DOUBLES
1. #37 Sarah Daavettila/Alle Sanford (UNC) def. Dessi Zlateva/Emily Dunbar (UR) – 6-2
2. MaKenna Jones/Chloe Ouellet-Pizer (UNC) def. Kiana Marshall/Lyndell Giffenig (UR) – 6-1
3. Cassandra Vazquez/Maggie Kane (UNC) def. Lea Owens/Adrienne Haynes (UR) – 6-3
Order of Finish: 3,2,1