CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Despite a valiant effort in doubles that saw No. 33 Jordan Chrysostom and Ryan Fishback defeat No. 4 Mac Kiger and Brian Cernoch in doubles, Virginia Tech fell to No. 27 North Carolina, 4-1.
The doubles point allowed Tech to jump out to an early lead with Chrysostom and Fishback's 6-3 win getting the match started. On Court 3, Alberto Orso and Carlo Donato also picked up a 6-3 result, pushing the Hokies into singles with a 1-0 advantage.
North Carolina pushed back with vengeance in singles, however. No. 73 Cernoch defeated No. 68 Fishback in straight sets on Court 1, followed by a similar result on Court 2 for Hugo Maia. Friday's match was Maia's first dual of the spring season.
Kiger defeated Alvaro Ariza on Court 3 to put the Tar Heels only one point away from the decision, then Logan Zapp clinched the victory for North Carolina against Carlo Donato on Court 5.
After dropping his first set, Michael Shepheard had earned a 6-2 second set result, but his match was called early in the third.
Virginia Tech will take the court again on Sunday in Durham, N.C. to face No. 40 Duke.
