Tar Heels Snap Hurricanes' Five Match Win Streak
April 15, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The19th-ranked North Carolina men’s tennis team defeated No. 25 Miami, 5-2, on Friday afternoon at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center, snapping the Hurricanes’ five-match win streak.
Miami (14-6, 8-2) dropped the doubles match at No. 1 to North Carolina’s nationally-ranked duo, but battled back to edge the Tar Heels at No. 2 and 3 to take the early 1-0 lead. Senior Eduardo Pavia and freshman Pedro Ast defeated Jose Hernandez and Zach Hunter, 9-8 (7-5), at the No. 3 spot to move to 7-1 in ACC play, while senior Keith Crowley teamed with freshman Omar Aly to clinch the doubles point with the 9-8 (9-7) victory at No. 2, improving to 3-0.
The Tar Heels got off to a strong start in singles competition, claiming wins at No. 1 and 3 to take their first lead of the afternoon, 2-1. The Hurricanes then tied the match at 2-all with senior All-American Carl Sundberg’s (18-11, 8-2) team-best sixth-straight victory, a 6-2, 6-2 decision over No. 90 Joey Burkhardt at No. 4.
But the Tar Heels (13-6, 8-2) won the next two singles matches to take the insurmountable lead, and moved into a tie with the Canes for second place in the ACC heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale.
“UNC is playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said head coach Mario Rincon. “We gave them a good fight, but they were too strong in singles today. I’m proud of the way we won the doubles point, winning both tie-breaks at No. 2 and No. 3 with a lot of poise and toughness.
“Omar is doing a great job for us, and he’s improving daily. Carl played aggressive tennis, taking advantage of his athleticism at the net.”
The Hurricanes close the regular season at No. 11 Duke on Sun., April 17, at Noon.
#19 North Carolina 5, #25 Miami 2
Singles
1. No. 25 Jose Hernandez (UNC) def. Christian Blocker (UM) 6-2, 6-2
2. Brennan Boyajian (UNC) def. Keith Crowley (UM) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Stefan Hardy (UNC) def. Waylon Chin (UM) 6-3, 6-2
4. Carl Sundberg (UM) def. No. 90 Joey Burkhardt (UNC) 6-2, 6-2
5. William Parker (UNC) def. Eduardo Pavia (UM) 6-3, 6-4
6. Cameron Ahari (UNC) def. Gabriel Flores (UM) 6-3, 7-6 (12-10)
Order of finish: 1, 3, 4, 5, 2*, 6
Doubles
1. No. 59 Joey Burkhardt/Stefan Hardy (UNC) def. Carl Sundberg/Christian Blocker (UM) 8-2
2. Keith Crowley/Omar Aly (UM) def. Brennan Boyajian/Cameron Ahari (UNC) 9-8 (9-7)
3. Eduardo Pavia/Pedro Ast (UM) def. Jose Hernandez/Zach Hunter (UNC) 9-8 (7-5)
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2*
