Friday, May 13, 2011

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (May 12, 2011) – Three weeks after winning the Atlantic Sun Conference title, the ETSU women’s tennis team is set to take on host and No. 4 national seeded North Carolina in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center.

The Lady Bucs will be making their third NCAA appearance all-time and first since 2009. Last time out, ETSU defeated UNF 4-0 in the A-Sun Tournament final to earn the automatic berth.

ETSU heads into the match with a 15-6 overall record, while North Carolina comes in with a 23-5 overall mark after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament.

Carolina is making its 13th consecutive appearance in the event and eighth in a row under head coach Brian Kalbas. The Tar Heels have an all-time NCAA record of 21-12 and have advanced beyond the regional round on six occasions, including last season's program-best run to the national semifinals.

Overall, North Carolina – who is currently ranked No. 4 in the country by the ITA – has defeated an impressive 19 nationally ranked teams this season. Joining ETSU and North Carolina in the Chapel Hill Regional are Washington (12-10) and Maryland (13-9).