URBANA, ILL-For the first time in UNC history, two women’s tennis players will advance to the final 16 in the NCAA Singles Championship.

ACC Player of the year Gina Suarez-Malaguti and Caroline Price will move on to the top 16 after wins on Thursday at the Atkins Tennis Center in Illinois. Price was the first Tar Heel to take the win, taking the first set 6-2 against No. 12 Julie Elbaba of UVA before a rainstorm delayed play. When action resumed, Price won three out of four games and eventually took the match with another 6-1 win.

Suarez-Malaguti had a little more trouble, suffering a defeat against No. 40 Beatrice Gumulva of Clemson 6-2. But she managed to rally back, winning 12 of the last 14 games and taking the 2-6, 6-0, 6-2 win.

Both Suarez-Malaguti and Price are now ITA All-America honorees. UNC senior Zoe De Bruycker also took the court on Thursday, but she couldn’t pull out the win, ultimately falling 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

The tournament continues Friday in Illinois and will run through Monday.

 

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