The North Carolina women’s tennis team sent its top players to Malibu, California this weekend to compete with the nation’s premier collegiate talent. The ITA Oracle Masters tournament brings 32 of the top-ranked women together for an import early-season litmus test.
The experienced senior duo of Sara Daavettila and Alexa Graham represented the Tar Heels, competing in both singles and mixed doubles play.
What happened?
In her fourth consecutive appearance in the tournament, the No. 7 Daavettila proved her ranking as one of the best, starting her senior campaign off strong with a 6-2, 6-4 first round singles victory over Rosie Cheng from William and Mary.
Graham made her inaugural appearance in Malibu on Thursday. Her matchup against Stony Brook’s Jamie Wei saw the No. 4 ranked Graham battle to a 6-0, 7-6 victory to advance to the second round.
UNC carried Thursday’s momentum into Friday’s mornings matches. Daavettila dismantled St. Johns’ Jessica Livianu in an efficient 6-1, 6-3 win while Graham handled No. 33 Petra Melounova of Hawaii, 6-0, 6-4.
Despite early success, both Tar Heels stumbled in the next round as the level of competition increased.
Daavettila’s quarterfinal matchup pitted the veteran against the nation’s top-ranked first-year player from Virginia, Natasha Subhash. Her fourth appearance in Malibu ended in disappointment as she lost to the young Cavalier in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
The wheels continued to fall off for the Tar Heels as Graham faced off against No. 14 Ashley Lahey from Pepperdine. This battle between top-ranked players was eerily reminiscent of a big matchup last spring. While Graham ended Lahey’s season in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season, it was Lahey who send Graham packing in Malibu, defeating the formidable Tar Heel in straight sets, 7-6, 6-1.