Chapel Hill, N.C. -- The University of North Carolina women's tennis team defeated Furman 4-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tennis Tournament at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center, thus advancing the Tar Heels to the round of 16 for the first time in school history.

"I was impressed with Furman's tenacity and the way they played in doubles," said Carolina head coach Jen Callen. "I thought it was important for us to win the doubles point to give us some momentum in singles and it did. We had to raise our level of play in singles to win the match."

The Tar Heels (24-4) had to rally to claim the doubles point after Furman's Mary Neill Hagood and Gene Holman scored an early 8-5 victory over Kate Pinchbeck and Lee Bairos at No. 3 doubles. However, Carolina's Aniela Mojzis and Kendall Cline fought back to claim an 8-4 victory and tie the doubles at one set apiece. Trailing by scores of 3-1 and 4-2, Mojzis and Cline won the final six games to take the set and even the match. Marlene Mejia and Julie Rotondi secured the doubles point for the Tar Heels with an 8-4 victory at No. 1.

In singles action, Rotondi won her 17th consecutive match with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Holman at the No. 3 position. Mojzis scored Carolina's third point with a 6-2, 6-0 victory at No. 4. For the second consecutive day, Pinchbeck clinched the match at No. 2 singles, defeating Kovarik, 6-1, 6-2.

The Southern Conference champion Lady Paladins end the season at 23-4 overall and 9-0 in league play.

No. 6 North Carolina 4, No. 52 Furman 0
May 12, 2002
Singles Results
1. Marlene Mejia (UNC) vs. Megan Dunigan (Furman), suspended
2. Kate Pinchbeck (UNC) def. Mary Kovarik (Furman), 6-1, 6-2
3. Julie Rotondi (UNC) def. Gene Holman (Furman), 6-1, 6-1
4. Aniela Mojzis (UNC) def. Mary Neill Hagood (Furman), 6-2, 6-0
5. Lee Bairos (UNC) vs. Natalie The (Furman), suspended
6. Kendall Cline (UNC) vs. Caroline Bentley (Furman), suspended
Doubles Results
1. Marlena Mejia/Julie Rotondi (UNC) def. Megan Dunigan/Natalie The (Furman), 8-4
2. Kendall Cline/Aniela Mojzis (UNC) def. Caroline Bentley/Mary Kovarik (Furman), 8-4
3. Mary Neill Hagood/Gene Holman (Furman) def. Lee Bairos/Kate Pinchbeck (UNC), 8-5