March 9, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's tennis team closed out its home schedule Sunday with a 7-0 dual match loss to the 12th-ranked University of North Carolina Sunday at the Santa Clara University Women's Tennis Center.
With the loss, Santa Clara falls to 6-7 on the season, while the win increases North Carolina's record to 9-3. The Broncos have five regular-season dual matches remaining on the schedule prior to the West Coast Conference Tournament, scheduled for April 11-13 in Malibu, Calif. Santa Clara's next match is scheduled for March 27 at Pacific. North Carolina remains in the Bay Area for a dual match at California on Thursday.
"North Carolina has an outstanding program with four players ranked among the top 110 in the nation so we knew this was really going to be a tough test for us," said Santa Clara Head Coach Aby Ryan. "I thought we came out really confident and energetic in doubles and had two strong performances at numbers one and three. But, in the end North Carolina's strength really wore us down."
The match marked the final home match for four Bronco seniors: Ashley Campbell, Mariko Kawakami, Christine Limbers and Pati Ruiz.
"We will certainly miss our four seniors," said Ryan. "I thought the great reception they received today from our fans and the team was really a reflection of their impact on our program. I was really proud of our seniors and our entire team today."
In doubles, the Broncos received solid performances from Limbers and Janalle Kaloi at the number one position and Kawakami/Ruiz at the number three slot. Both matches ended with identical 8-4 scores but weren't decided until late in the match.
The Tar Heels showed why they are ranked 12th nationally as all four of their singles players are rated among the top 110 in the country. The quartet lost just 12 games in the top four spots en route to sweeping the match.
Australian senior Kate Pinchbeck, ranked 14th in the nation, took a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Limbers in singles to kickoff singles with a win for the Tar Heels. North Carolina then played 64th-ranked Marlene Mejia at the numbers two slot and she took a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Kaloi. 41st-ranked Aniela Mojzis defeated Ruiz at the number three slot by a 6-2, 6-0 margin.
#12 North Carolina 7, Santa Clara 0
Santa Clara University Tennis Center
Weather: Clear, slight wind, 64 degrees
SINGLES
1. #14 Kate Pinchbeck (UNC) def. Christine Limbers (SCU), 6-1, 6-2
2. #64 Marlene Mejia (UNC) def. Janalle Kaloi (SCU), 6-3, 6-0
3. #41 Aniela Mojzis (UNC) def. Pati Ruiz (SCU), 6-2, 6-0
4. #110 Kendall Cline (UNC) def. Catherine Cochrane (SCU), 6-2, 6-2
5. Lee Bairos (UNC) def. Casey Knutson (SCU), 6-3, 6-2
6. Tanja Markovic (UNC) def. Mariko Kawakami (SCU), 6-3, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Mojzis / Cline (UNC) def. Limbers / Kaloi (SCU), 8-4
2. #29 Pinchbeck / Kendrick Bunn (UNC) def. Ashley Campbell / Jenny Siegel (SCU), 8-0
3. Bairos / Mejia (UNC) def. Kawakami / Ruiz (SCU), 8-4
TEAM RECORDS
Santa Clara 6-7
#21 North Carolina 9-3
