Much like it was for their counterparts on the women’s side on Thursday, the No. 7 seed UNC men’s tennis team had its season ended just a bit ahead of schedule in Friday’s NCAA Tournament Round of 16 match–as the Tar Heels were defeated 4-2 in Winston-Salem by the No. 10 USC Trojans.

UNC finishes the season with a team record of 24-6, and missed the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in five years.

Friday’s match saw the Trojans get off to a great start by taking the crucial doubles point, before battling it out in singles play to take the victory.

Sophomore William Blumberg tied things up with an easy 6-3, 6-0 victory over USC’s Brandon Holt on Court One, as the teams would go on to trade wins back-and forth.

After USC took a 2-1 lead, Tar Heel freshman Mac Kiger picked up a 6-4, 6-4 win against Riley R. Smith to make it 2-2.

From there, however, the Trojans earned back-to-back wins to earn the spot in the quarterfinals–clinching things for good with a three-set victory (3-6, 6-1, 6-4) by Thibault Forget over UNC’s Blaine Boyden.

Up Next:

The team season is over for the Tar Heels, but William Blumberg, Benjamin Sigouin and Robert Kelly will each continue to play in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Tournaments–which are set to begin after the conclusion of the team tournament.

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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