Georgia Falls to North Carolina, Vecic Makes Spring Debut

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The No. 3-ranked Georgia women’s tennis team fell in its first dual match of the season against No. 1 North Carolina, 7-0, at the Cone-Kenfield Indoor Tennis Center on Sunday.

After taking a redshirt year last season, Alexandra Vecic made her spring debut for the Bulldogs in both singles and doubles play.

Opening with doubles action, the Tar Heels (4-0) took the first two matches of the day. On court one, No. 58 ranked duo Aysegul Mert and Dasha Vidmanova battled deep into a 4-4 score against No. 1 ranked Reese Brantmeier and Elizabeth Scotty, but just came up short 6-4. The No. 15 ranked tandem of Guillermina Grant and Mai Nirundorn took on No. 23 ranked Fiona Crawley and Carson Tanguilig but fell 6-2.

In singles action, Georgia played out all of its matches, falling in all six. On court one, No. 35 Vecic made a match against No. 5 Brantmeier, leading in both sets but ultimately falling 6-3, 7-5. No. 30 Vidmanova faced off against Crawley on court two, but fell in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.

On court three, No. 116 Mell Reasco battled in a tight second set, but dropped in two sets to Tanguilig 6-3, 7-6(3). No. 70 Anastasiia Lopata held her own on court four through two sets against No. 44 Scotty, but fell 6-4, 6-4.

On court five, Grant fought hard from behind to stay alive in both sets as she forced a tiebreaker in the second, but dropped the match to No. 41 Abbey Forbes 6-4, 7-6(3). Lastly, No. 108 Nirundorn faced off on court six against No. 28 Reilly Tran where she fell 6-3, 6-1 in straight sets.

Georgia will now return to Athens where it will prepare to host two days of action at the ITA Kick-Off on Jan. 26-27 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. The Bulldogs will face off against South Florida on Friday, Jan. 26 at 2:30 p.m. Based on Friday’s results, Saturday’s action will see Georgia face off against one of South Carolina or Arizona in a championship or consolation match on Jan. 27.