Elizabeth Ullathorne won both of her matches against No. 1 North Carolina on Wednesday.

March 13, 2013

SAN DIEGO, Calif. –

Final Stats

No. 21 Texas Tech held and early lead and battle valiantly, but No.1 North Carolina was too much, as the Tar Heels topped the Lady Raiders, 5-2 at the Skip and Cindy Hogan Tennis Center on Wednesday.

“I think the girls realize there is no question (North Carolina) was better than us today,” said Petty. “But what they realized is they can compete with the best team in the nation. We were within a point here and there of competing in every match today. We were right there.”

Texas Tech took the doubles point from North Carolina behind the strong play at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. It was just the third time this season the Tar Heels have lost the doubles point, also falling to UCLA and USC.

Tech’s Elizabeth Ullathorne and Caroline Starck upended North Carolina’s Gina Suarez-Malaguti and Kate Vialle, 8-6, at No. 3 doubles. The Tar Heels answered with an 8-3 win at No. 2, as Caroline Price and Ashley Dai topped Tech’s No. 61 duo of Nikki Sanders and Rashmi Teltumbde.

With doubles tied, it set up a showdown at No. 1 and finally Texas Tech’s tandem of Samantha Adams and Kenna Kilgo, who are ranked No 34, outlasted Lauren McHale and Whitney Kay, 8-6, for the doubles point.

“North Carolina deserves respect. You can respect your opponent, but you have to be able to believe that you can compete with them. I don’t think we played nervous or scared,” added Petty.

North Caroline jumped out to first-set win in five of six matches and held on to win in straight sets.

The lone win for Texas Tech came from Ullathorne, who bested McHale, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 4

“Elizabeth is playing good if not better than everyone on the team,” added Petty. “She is playing a pivotal role for us right now.”

Texas Tech split its two matches on the West Coast swing and returns to Lubbock to open Big 12 play on Sunday against Oklahoma.

“It was good trip for us. We got two very good matches. Even in the loss we learned a lot about us that will help us as we move forward,” said Petty.

#1 North Carolina 5, #21 Texas Tech 2
San Diego, Calif. (Skip and Cindy Hogan Tennis Center)
Singles
1. #4 Gina Suarez-Malaguti (UNC) def. Samantha Adams (TT) 6-4, 6-2
2. #36 Zoe De Bruycker (UNC) def. #118 Kenna Kilgo (TT) 6-2, 6-4
3. #23 Whitney Kay (UNC) def. Rashmi Teltumbde (TT) 6-2, 6-2
4. Elizabeth Ullathorne (TT) def. Lauren McHale (UNC) 6-1, 6-2
5. #30 Caroline Price (UNC) def. Nikki Sanders (TT) 6-2, 6-4
6. #123 Ashley Dai (UNC) def. Caroline Starck (TT) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
1. #34 Samantha Adams / Kenna Kilgo (TT) def. Lauren McHale / Whitney Kay (UNC) 8-6
2. Caroline Price / Ashley Dai (UNC) def. #61 Nikki Sanders / Rashmi Teltumbde (TT) 8-3
3. Elizabeth Ullathorne / Caroline Starck (TT) def. Gina Suarez-Malaguti / Kate Vialle (UNC) 8-6
Match Notes:
North Carolina 13-2; National ranking #1
Texas Tech 9-4; National ranking #21
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (4,5,6,2,3,1)
T-2:55 A-50