Up 1-0 after clinching the doubles point, looking to extend a winning streak and staring down its archrival on the opposite side of regulation-sized, 3-foot nets.
But the similarities didn’t stop there Sunday, as the Tar Heels (22-4, 9-2 ACC) were unable to capitalize on their early lead en route to a 5-2 loss at the hands of No. 14 Duke (18-5, 10-1 ACC) in Durham — snapping a seven-game winning streak.
The team had a five-game winning streak ended after falling to Duke in January.
“It did seem like deja vu,” said Brett Clark. “It seemed like this time we were going to turn the corner, but, unfortunately, we didn’t.”
UNC seized the doubles point behind behind the tandems of Oystein Steiro and Nelson Vick and Jack Murray and Ronnie Schneider — just like last time.
After falling behind 1-2, the lengthy Steiro and vivacious Vick won seven of their last nine games on court No. 2 for an 8-4 victory.
On the court mirroring them, Murray and Schneider were down 30-40 after attaining a 7-6 lead.
But the twosome won the break point, the first of five they’d clinch, and finish the match off 8-6 with an overhand from Murray at the net.