On a rainy Friday afternoon, an unexpected lineup change placed two players from the No. 11 North Carolina men’s tennis team in new scenarios during the Tar Heels' 6-1 win against Boston College, allowing UNC (15-4, 7-2 ACC) to stay perfect at home.
Junior Josh Peck took sophomore Mac Kiger’s spot in doubles with junior Simon Soendergaard, and junior Ladd Harrison found himself on Court 6 for singles.
“We did a good job at No. 1 doubles with those guys,” head coach Sam Paul said. “Josh had a good day in singles and doubles … I feel bad for Ladd today. He’s been injured for two weeks. He’s one of our hardest working guys.”
Doubles went quickly, lasting a little over 30 minutes. The No. 34 doubles team of junior William Blumberg and senior Blaine Boyden finished first on Court 1 with a 6-1 victory while Soendergaard and Peck clinched the doubles point on Court 3.
While this was only the third time this season Peck has competed in doubles, he and Soendergaard had been practicing together occasionally as Kiger continued to fight through an injury. Watching them on the court, no one would be able to tell they weren’t a normal duo.
Standing tall next to each other, they communicated and moved in sync. Soendergaard and Peck have similar playing styles, both having strong serves and strong volleying capabilities at the net.
“He closes on the net really hard so it’s good for me when I hit a big serve that he’s all over the next shot,” Peck said.
This season, Peck has become a solid and fundamental player in the Tar Heel lineup, clinching multiple important matches this season. He typically plays on Court 4 and has a record of 3-1; however, he has played on Court 3 when there is a lineup change and has a 4-3 record from that spot.
On Friday afternoon, he unexpectedly moved up to Court 2 for the first time this season.