The season may not have ended exactly according to script for the UNC men’s and women’s tennis teams, but their work was certainly rewarded in the year-end polls.
After setting a school record with 31 wins–including 21 straight before its Round of 16 loss to Virginia in the NCAA Tournament–the women’s squad (31-3) was ranked No. 4 in the final Oracle/ITA Collegiate Women’s Tennis Rankings released on Wednesday.
The men’s team finished out the season ranked fifth after making a third straight NCAA Quarterfinal appearance–where the Tar Heels were sent home by Georgia.
Hayley Carter was UNC’s highest ranked individual, ending the year as the No. 2 women’s player in the nation.
She posted a 49-5 singles record and advanced to the NCAA Singles Championship Final last weekend–where she came up short against Virginia’s Danielle Collins.
Ronnie Schneider earned All-American honors for advancing to the Round of 16 in last week’s NCAA Singles Tournament. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)
Along with her teammate Whitney Kay, Carter was also was named an All-American in doubles competition. They combined for a 37-7 record on their way to the NCAA Doubles Semifinals–ending the year No. 3 in the rankings.
On the men’s side, senior Brett Clark and sophomore Robert Kelly earned All-America honors for their own performance as a doubles pairing.
Clark and Kelly were ranked No. 4 in the final rankings, but had a chance to be No. 1. Unfortunately, an injury to Kelly forced them to withdraw ahead of the NCAA Doubles Championship Final.
Their recognition gives the Tar Heels five All-Americans on the men’s side.
Ronnie Schneider finished the year ranked No. 23, but was honored for reaching the Round of 16 in the NCAA Singles Tournament, while Brayden Schnur (ranked No. 30) and Jack Murray earned the distinction for reaching the Quarterfinals in the NCAA Doubles Tournament.
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