In the last game of the regular season, the No. 1 North Carolina women’s tennis team (26-0, 12-0 ACC) defeated No. 3 Duke (22-2, 11-1 ACC) by a score of 4-1.
What happened?
Despite playing only three non-conference singles matches in the spring season, senior Sophia Patel paired with senior Elizabeth Scotty on the No. 3 doubles court. The pair kept it close in some games but lost their matchup, 6-2.
Meanwhile, the No. 4 duo of junior Fiona Crawley and sophomore Carson Tanguilig had few problems on the No. 1 court, defeating their matchup 6-1.
All eyes turned to the No. 2 court where sophomore Reese Brantmeier and junior Reilly Tran would decide the doubles point.
The duo faced an intense match – at one point head coach Brian Kalbas furiously argued with a chair umpire over a point given – but they ultimately prevailed. Tied at 3-3, Brantmeier and Tran won three straight to claim the doubles point for UNC.
In singles, every Tar Heel except graduate Abbey Forbes won their first set, and each winner won their set by at least three games.
Who stood out?
Brantmeier and Tran’s doubles play clinched the doubles point. Brantmeier’s strong serves and deep returns made solid returns difficult for Duke, allowing Team and her quick reflexes to crush volleys at the net.
