Tar Heels Ruin Wolfpack Hopes

For the second year in a row, UNC narrowly defeated the Wolfpack 4-3.

"They were definitely pumped up for the match," freshman Nick Monroe said. "Their coach on the sideline was like, 'You've got to win this match, we don't want to lose 4-3 like we did last year.'"

Unfortunately for N.C. State coach Eric Hayes, the Tar Heels extended their 14-year winning streak against the Wolfpack, but not without some degree of difficulty Wednesday at the Wolfpack Tennis Center.

UNC (7-5, 3-0 in the ACC) won the doubles point, but only after the tandem of sophomore Greg Archer and junior Marcio Petrone rallied and won at the No.2 seed.

UNC's Trystan Meniane and Chad Riley won at the third seed, but Monroe and senior David Cheatwood lost their second straight doubles match at No. 1, leaving Petrone and Archer responsible for deciding the point.

The pair started off slow and fought back from a three-point deficit to tie the score.

N.C. State's Eric Jackson and Reinaldo Valor kept the match tight, but late in the match UNC broke and then held serve to claim the win, 9-7.

"Lately Marcio and I have won our close matches," Archer said. "Now when we're in that position, we have a lot of confidence. We believe if it comes down to us, we'll be able to deliver the point."

The Tar Heels have won every doubles point since UNC coach Sam Paul tweaked the lineup seven matches ago.

"We feel like every time we go into doubles matches we're going to win that point," Monroe said.

"We're that confident in out doubles play right now, and that carries us into our singles match."

And although the three doubles matches combine to equal only one point, they can make a world of difference when singles go to the wire, as they did against the Wolfpack.

Cheatwood and Meniane extended UNC's lead 3-0 by winning their singles matches in straight sets.

But N.C. State closed in on the Tar Heels when Chad Riley dropped his match at the sixth seed and Archer faltered at No. 5 to tighten the score 3-2.

Meanwhile, Petrone was playing out a tie-breaker in the second set at No. 1, so second-seeded Monroe knew that to secure the victory, he had to win.

"I knew I had to turn it up in the last game," Monroe said. "I had to let him know I was there and take control of the match. You have to have no fear in that type of situation."

Monroe broke Michael Carducci's serve at 4-4 in the second set and then held serve to win 6-4, 6-4 and clinch the match for UNC.

"It was a tough spot for anyone to be in, and Nick just won the match," Paul said. "They always play us tough here. It was a real team victory. All the guys can feel good."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.