UNC women’s tennis drops ACC title to N.C. State

CARY, N.C. -- In its quest for a sixth ACC championship in seven years, the No. 1 North Carolina women’s tennis team (29-1, 13-0 ACC) lost to No. 5 N.C. State (23-4, 10-3 ACC) by a score of 4-1.

What happened?

For only the third time this season, North Carolina lost the doubles point.

As one of the few teams in the country with multiple doubles pairs higher ranked than UNC, the Wolfpack flexed their advantage, using their No. 8 pair of Amelia Rajecki and Neil Miller to beat No. 11 sophomore Carson Tanguilig and junior Fiona Crawley 6-1.

The No. 16 pair of Reese Brantmeier and Elizabeth Scotty were able to hold on against No. 5 Diana Schnaider and Alana Smith, going up 5-4 in the match. 

But their efforts would be in vain, as N.C. State’s Sophie Abrams and Abigail Rencheli beat out junior Reilly Tran and graduate Abbey Forbes 6-2, claiming the doubles point for the Wolfpack.

The Tar Heels now needed to win four of their six singles matches to win the ACC Championship. No. 21 Tanguilig fell early, with No. 29 Rajecki forcing her into multiple errors and claiming the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1.

Troubled by No. 12 Shnaider’s hard, low hits and pacey serves, No. 1 Fiona Crawley fell in straight sets in her singles match, 6-2, 6-1. Now, UNC needed to win all four of its remaining singles matches.

Who stood out?

UNC’s Brantmeier was one of the few places the Tar Heels could find consistency. In her singles match, she focused on getting to every return and inviting risk from her opponent. That allowed the calm and collected Brantmeier to win a top-15 tilt in straight sets.

N.C. State’s Shnaider took an aggressive approach to her match against Crawley, with many of her hits barely crossing the net. But the big risks reaped big rewards, allowing Shnaider to upset the No. 1 singles player in the country and do it in straight sets.

When was it decided?

Following Crawley’s loss, No. 6 Brantmeier took care of No. 15 Smith in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.

But No. 95 Scotty would fall to Abrams in straight sets, 7-5. 6-1. That match gave N.C. State their fourth point and the ACC Championship in front of a Wolfpack-dominated crowd at Cary Tennis Park.

Why does it matter?

This marks N.C. State’s first ever ACC Championship in women’s tennis. To win it over their archrivals makes this victory all the more sweet for the Wolfpack.

This is UNC’s first loss of the season. The Tar Heels will be disappointed to not only have a perfect record blemished but to lose to their rivals in the ACC Championship game—rivals whom they swept 7-0 just a few weeks ago.

Now, UNC must rebuild momentum ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

When do they play next?

Though they will not clinch an automatic bid, North Carolina is all but guaranteed to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, which starts May 5. It is yet to be determined who and where they will play next. 

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