The No. 3 Georgia women’s tennis team was defeated by No. 1-ranked North Carolina, 7-0, in its first dual match of the season on Sunday at the Cone-Kenfield Indoor Tennis Center.
This rivalry is anything but new, as it was the first time the Bulldogs have competed against the Tar Heels since their loss in the semifinals of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
On the doubles courts, Georgia’s No. 58 pair of Dasha Vidmanova and Aysegul Mert battled against North Carolina’s No. 1-ranked tandem of Reese Brantmeier and Elizabeth Scotty. Despite being tied 4-4, the Bulldog pair couldn’t outbeat the top-ranked duo, ultimately ending in a 6-4 loss.
The No. 15 pair of Guillermina Grant and Mai Nirundorn struggled to stay ahead of the No. 23 Fiona Crawley and Carson Tanguilig, as they fell 6-2 and gave up the doubles point to North Carolina.
The Bulldogs attempted to make up ground in singles but lost all six matches. After being redshirted last season, No. 35 Alexandra Vecic made her spring debut for the Bulldogs against No. 5 ranked Brantmeier. Despite having the lead in both sets, Vecic fell 6-3, 7-5 after her unfinished doubles match earlier in the day.
After battling back and forth in the second set, No. 116 Mell Reasco couldn’t hold on and fell 6-3, 7-6(3) to Tanguilig after walking away from her unfinished doubles match with Vecic. On court five, Grant didn’t give up her battle, as she faced off against No. 41 Abbey Forbes. Grant lost the first set 6-4, but went into a tiebreaker in the second set, ultimately losing 7-6(3).
On court two, No. 30 Vidmanova took a shot at defeating Crawley, but fell short with a 6-3, 6-2 loss. On court six, No. 108 Nirundorn lost in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 against No. 28 Reilly Tran to complete North Carolina’s full sweep.
The Bulldogs will return home to host the ITA Kick-Off on Jan. 26 and on Jan. 27 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. They are set to take on South Florida on Friday, Jan. 26 at 2:30 p.m. and South Carolina or Arizona in a championship or consolation match on Jan. 27, depending on the Friday match results.