CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Mitch Harper grabbed the ranked win, but No. 2 North Carolina proved to be too much for the Hokies as the Virginia Tech men's tennis team fell 6-1 in Chapel Hill this afternoon.
A bright spot in the Hokies' day came on court two, where No. 81 Mitch Harper defeated No. 42 Benjamin Sigouin in straight sets with scores of 6-4, 6-2. The result is Harper's most high-profile of the season.
The Tar Heels got out to the early lead after winning the doubles point. UNC's No. 4 duo of Mac Kiger and Simon Soendergaard, and the No. 16 team of William Blumberg and Brian Cernoch propelled them to the doubles point on court one and court two.
In singles, North Carolina's momentum continued onto court one, where No. 11 Blumberg defeated senior Henrik Korsgaard in straight sets. Junior Carlo Donato fell to No. 103 Josh Peck on court five, bringing the score to 3-0. Cernoch clinched the win for the Tar Heels on court five.
The Hokies will be back on the court Saturday, March 7 in a noon match against NC State at Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center in Blacksburg.
SINGLES
1. #11 William Blumberg (UNC) def. #89 Henrik Korsgaard (VT) 6-0, 6-0
2. #81 Mitch Harper (VT) def. #42 Benjamin Sigouin (UNC) 6-4, 6-2
3. #47 Rinky Hijikata (UNC) def. Alex Ribeiro (VT) 7-6(1), 6-2
4. #103 Josh Peck (UNC) def. Carlo Donato (VT) 6-2, 6-3
5. Brian Cernoch (UNC) def. Matthis Ross (VT) 6-4, 6-3
6. Simon Soendergaard (UNC) def. Chase Bernstine (VT) 6-4, 7-6(2)
DOUBLES
1. #16 Blumberg/Cernoch (UNC) def. Korsgaard/Ryan Kros (VT) 6-3
2. #4 Mac Kiger/Soendergaard (UNC) def. Ribeiro/Donato (VT) 6-2
3. Harper/Ross (VT) vs. Hijikata/Sigouin (UNC) 3-5 dnf