A total of nine Tar Heels were among the final Oracle ITA Division I Women’s Tennis rankings of the 2021 season, including eight in the singles rankings.

The rankings were revealed on Wednesday, with fifth-year seniors Sara Daavettila and Alexa Graham leading the way.

Daavettila — who became just the fifth Tar Heel to ever reach the NCAA Singles Tournament semifinals — ends the year at No. 3 in the country, while Graham rounded out the top 10 at No. 10.

Another fifth-year senior, Makenna Jones, was next on the list at No. 39 followed by junior Cameron Morra at No. 49 and freshman Fiona Crawley at No. 53.

Sophomores Anika Yarlagaada (No. 107) and Elizabeth Scotty (No. 112) join freshman Reilly Tran (No. 122) as Tar Heels ranked in singles competition.

Jones and Scotty recently became the second Tar Heel doubles pairing to win the NCAA championship and thus ended the year at No. 1 in the doubles rankings.

Daavettila and Morra were just behind at No. 3 despite falling in the Round of 16 at the NCAA Doubles Tournament.

Senior Alle Sanford was the ninth UNC player included in the final rankings, as she and Tran were listed at No. 36. In addition, Sanford’s pairing with Scotty earned the No. 67 doubles ranking.

Scotty and Morra checked in at No. 71, showcasing the sophomore’s prowess in doubles competition with three ranked partnerships.

The final UNC duo among the doubles ranking was the tandem of Daavettila and Graham at No. 75.

During the dual match season, the Tar Heels won their first 30 matches and carried a 48-match winning streak into the NCAA Team Tournament semifinals before a shocking upset loss to Pepperdine.

UNC won both the ITA National Indoor Championship and the ACC Tournament championship in the months leading up to the NCAA Tournament during what was still a dominant season for head coach Brian Kalbas.

 

 

 

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