North Carolina
Florida
Women's Tennis Falls At No. 5 Florida
March 14, 2000 | Women's Tennis
March 14, 2000
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The fifth-ranked University of Florida women's tennis team won its third match in four days with Monday evening's 9-0 victory over 27th-ranked North Carolina.
Early during the match, Florida (11-1) didn't show any signs of fatigue from the hectic scheduling, as the Gators won all six singles matches. However, during the second set, North Carolina (5-6) began to rally and give Florida some fits in a few matches.
"We lost to a really good Florida team," Carolina head coach Roland Thornqvist said after the match. "Even though the score was 9-0, we had some good individual efforts, at No. 6 singles by Kate Pinchbeck and at No. 2 doubles by Jessica Zaganczyk and Courtney Zalinski, in particular. They played some of their best tennis of the year.
"Marlene (Mejia) had some opportunities to win at No. 1 singles even though she didn't play her best tennis," Thornqvist continued. "That shows how good she really is. This competition will help us get ready for Florida State on Thursday."
The Gators did regain their momentum on four of the courts and raced out to a quick 4-0 lead in the team competition. Senior Traci Green led the way with a one-hour 6-2, 6-0 victory over Caroline Hill at the no. 4 position. Minutes later, sophomore Jessica Lehnhoff polished off Kendrick Bunn 6-1, 6-4 at no. 3. Gator junior Stephanie Hazlett then followed with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Jess Zaganczyk at the no. 2 spot.
Senior Baili Camino came back from a 4-3 deficit, while receiving against Courtney Zalinski at no. 5, to win the next six games and close the match with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Junior Whitney Laiho provided the clinching match point for Florida, posting a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 win over Marlene Mejia at the no. 1 position. Gator freshman Julia Scaringe fought off one match point in her no. 6 singles match against Kate Pinchbeck to pull off the 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 victory. Her victory, which lasted 2 hours and 28 minutes, capped Florida's sweep of singles play.
With the temperature in the mid-50s and a cold wind chill in the air, the two teams began doubles play. Florida swept all three positions to capture its fourth shutout of the year.
Carolina returns to action on Thursday at Florida State at 2:00 p.m.
NCAA Women's Tennis
March 13, 2000
Gainesville, Fla.
Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex
Final Score: Florida 9, North Carolina 0
Singles
No. 1 Whitney Laiho, UF d. Marlene Mejia, UNC 6-1, 3-6, 6-2* No. 2 Stephanie Hazlett, UF d. Jess Zaganczyk, UNC 6-2, 6-3 No. 3 Jessica Lehnhoff, UF d. Kendrick Bunn, UNC 6-1, 6-4 No. 4 Traci Green, UF d. Caroline Hill, UNC 6-2, 6-0 No. 5 Baili Camino, UF d. Courtney Zalinski, UNC 6-4, 6-4 No. 6 Julia Scaringe, UF d. Kate Pinchbeck, UNC 6-2, 1-6, 7-5Doubles
No. 1 Laiho-Lehnhoff, UF d. Hill-Mejia, UNC 8-3 No. 2 Green-Scaringe, UF d. Zaganczyk-Zalinski, UNC 8-5 No. 3 Camino-Hazlett, UF d. Kristin Koenig-Pinchbeck, UNC 8-1* - Clinching match
