Opening the dual-match season, the No. 2 North Carolina women’s tennis team crushed Ball State and UNC-Greensboro, both by scores of 7-0, at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center on Saturday.
What happened?
UNC won its double matches quickly against Ball State, with senior Hayley Carter and first-year Alexa Graham winning 6-1 and first-year Sara Daavettila and redshirt senior Rachael James-Baker winning 6-2.
The Tar Heels performed strongly during singles, as well. Carter, Daavettila, James-Baker, junior Cassandra Vazquez and first-year Makenna Jones won in straight sets.
During the match against UNC-G, the Tar Heels switched up the doubles partners, replacing James-Baker with junior Maggie Kane in the lineup. Carter and Kane won their doubles match with a clean score of 6-0. On Court No. 2, Daavettila and Jones won, 6-1, to secure the doubles point.
Kane took James-Baker’s position in singles, as well. Carter played with strength, a sheepish smile occasionally appearing on her face after a powerful point. She won in straight sets.
After a disappointing showing in doubles play, Graham beat her singles opponent in straight sets.
Who stood out?
During the Ball State match, Carter — the No. 5 singles player in the nation — didn't drop a game in singles play. And against the Spartans later in the day, she dropped just one game to her opponent.
