Tigers’ Upset Bid Falls Short Against No. 2 North Carolina Friday

CLEMSON, S.C. – The 19^th-ranked Clemson women’s tennis team’s upset bid over No. 2 and undefeated North Carolina came up just short Friday afternoon, as the Tigers fell 4-3 at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center in Chapel Hill. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 10-7 and 5-3 in the ACC, while North Carolina moves to 20-0 and 8-0 in the conference. All of Clemson’s seven losses have come to teams currently ranked in the top 16 in the latest ITA poll, including five teams in the top eight in the country. 

In doubles action, it was clear five of the six duos were ranked, as the matches went back and forth. After a tough fight, Tristen Dewar and Romy Koelzer, ranked 76^th, fell 8-5 to No. 33 Carter and Kay. Joana Eidukonyte and Daniela Ruiz controlled their match at No. 3, winning 8-6 over No. 34 Dai and Vialle of North Carolina. It came down to the match on court one where the two teams traded points throughout its entirety. Ultimately, No. 3 Beatrice Gumulya and Jessy Rompies fell 8-7 to Carolina Price and Jamie Loeb, ranked 13^th in the country, clinching the doubles point for the Tar Heels.

In singles play, Clemson found momentum, winning two matches in straight sets over ranked opponents to take the lead. No. 84 Gumulya defeated No. 18 Price in convincing fashion, winning 6-4, 6-1 at No. 3. Tristen Dewar followed with a win on court five, downing No. 78 Dai 6-1, 7-5. Yuilynn Miao, playing at No. 6 fell 4-6, 1-6 before No. 19 Eidukonyte bested No. 17 Carter 6-3, 6-4. Koelzer, ranked 35^th and playing in the top spot for the Tigers, won the first set over No. 9 Loeb before Loeb rebounded to win the next two sets and take the match. With the match tied at three all, it came down to Rompies at No. 4. After winning the first set, No. 119 Rompies fell to No. 72 Kay 7-6, 3-6, 2-6.

The Tigers travel down the road to Raleigh and return to the courts Sunday, March 29 against NC State. The match is slated for noon. The Wolfpack are 9-9 overall and 0-7 in conference play. Live scoring and live video can be found on GoPack.com.