North Carolina
Georgia
UNC's Record-Breaking Season Ends In NCAA Quarterfinals
May 22, 2016 | Men's Tennis
The North Carolina men's tennis team saw its season end Sunday in Tulsa, Okla., with a 4-0 loss to No. 7 Georgia in the NCAA quarterfinals. It marked the third year in a row that UNC has reached that point but fallen one step short of the final four.
The Tar Heels finish 28-5, while Georgia advances on to face either Oklahoma or UCLA in the NCAA semifinals on Monday. The defeat was UNC's only shutout loss of the year.
Playing at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center, UNC dropped the doubles point to open. Georgia's 11th-ranked duo of Austin Smith and Ben Wagland beat Tar Heel juniors Jack Murray and Brayden Schnur at No. 1, 7-5, in the deciding match after Georgia won at No. 2 and UNC at No. 3.
In singles, Carolina won first sets at No. 1 (Schnur) and No. 3 (Brett Clark), but the Bulldogs claimed the other four. Georgia rolled on to straight-sets wins at the four, five and six positions to clinch the win and a spot in the final four.
The loss brings an end to a record-breaking campaign for UNC. During the course of the season, the Tar Heels achieved the program's first-ever No. 1 ranking and set a program record for wins with 28. They won the ITA National Team Indoor Championship in February for the first national title in program history.
At least four Tar Heels are set to compete in the NCAA singles and doubles tournaments, which begin on May 25 in Tulsa, following the conclusion of team play on the 24th. Senior Brett Clark and juniors Brayden Schnur and Ronnie Schneider will play in singles. In doubles, Clark and sophomore Robert Kelly are in the draw and Schnur and junior Jack Murray are alternates.
Tulsa, Okla. • Michael D. Case Tennis Center
No. 7 Georgia 4, No. 3 UNC 0
Doubles
1. #11 Austin Smith/Ben Wagland (Georgia) def. #27 Jack Murray/Brayden Schnur (North Carolina), 7-5
2. Paul Oosterbaan/Jan Zielinski (Georgia) def. Anu Kodali/Ronnie Schneider (North Carolina), 6-3
3. Blaine Boyden/Brett Clark (North Carolina) def. Wayne Montgomery/Emil Reinberg (Georgia), 6-2
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1
Singles
1. #26 Brayden Schnur (North Carolina) vs. #17 Austin Smith (Georgia), 6-4, 5-3 DNF
2. #32 Wayne Montgomery (Georgia) vs. #28 Ronnie Schneider (North Carolina), 6-3, 3-3 DNF
3. #46 Brett Clark (North Carolina) vs. #64 Paul Oosterbaan (Georgia), 6-2, 5-3 DNF
4. #123 Walker Duncan (Georgia) def. Jack Murray (North Carolina), 6-3, 6-0
5. Jan Zielinski (Georgia) def. Anu Kodali (North Carolina), 6-4, 6-2
6. Nick Wood (Georgia) def. Blaine Boyden (North Carolina), 6-3, 6-1
Order of Finish: 4, 6, 5
Players Mentioned
