URBANA, ILL-For the fourth time in school history, Tar Heel women’s tennis has a representative in the NCAA Final Eight  for singles play after senior Gina Suarez-Malaguti took the 6-1 6-1 win over Petra Niedermaverova of Kansas State in Friday’s Round of 16 at the University of Illinois’s Atkins Tennis Center.

Tar Heel sophomore Caroline Price also represented UNC in the Round of 16, but she fell 6-1 6-2 against No. 41 Natalie Beazant of Rice. But her season won’t end without several honors; she boasts All-ACC and ITA National Team Indoor All-Tournament honors, and leads the team in singles wins at 34.

Meanwhile, Suarez-Malaguti joins a short list of UNC women’s players to ever play in the NCAA Final Eight, including Sanaz Marand in 2009, Kate Pinchbeck in 2002, and Cinda Gurney in 1993.

Suarez-Malaguti will face freshman Breaunna Addison of Texas on Saturday at the University of Illinois.