UNC Women’s Tennis: A Long-Awaited Championship

It has been a golden age of sports for the women of Chapel Hill. Across field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse, the Tar Heels have combined to win 15 national championships this millennium. On May 20th, 15 became 16 as the UNC Women’s Tennis team brought home their first-ever national championship.

Dominating an In-State Rival

Squaring off against a familiar foe, the Tar Heels battled the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the final. After dropping the first match, the Tar Heels ripped off three straight wins to clinch the singles portion of the Final 3-1. Some title teams are led by a singular star, but this North Carolina tennis team saw impact come from each player. This was highlighted by sophomore Carson Tanguilig, junior Fiona Crawley, and senior Elizabeth Scotty each scoring decisive victories in singles competition. To cap this off, Scotty and Tanguilig teamed up for one of the two doubles victories. The second? Freshman Reese Brantmeier teamed with junior Reilly Tran for the clinching victory.

Wait, There’s More?

Apparently not satisfied with just a national championship victory, a week later Brantmeier teamed up with Scotty while Crawley and Tanguilig joined forces to enter the national doubles championship. Amazingly enough, both teams navigated the bracket to meet in the championship with Crawley and Tanguilig coming out on top. That’s right, not only did the North Carolina women walk away as the overall national champions, but they sported the two fiercest doubles teams as well.

Quite a year for the ladies from Chapel Hill.