April 30, 2017
Final Stats | GT Photo Gallery
ROME, Ga. — It all came down to the final two courts after No. 8 Georgia Tech raced out with a 1-0 lead claiming the doubles point. No. 5 North Carolina used strong singles play to clinch the match, 4-3, winning on courts three and four within seconds of each other to capture the 2017 ACC Championship. Georgia Tech dropped to 25-4 overall on the season.
DOUBLES ACTION: The Jackets came out strong in doubles play and clinched the lead when match points fell on courts two and one within seconds of each other. Narrowly finishing first, the 23rd-ranked Tech duo of Rasheeda McAdoo and Johnnise Renaud dropped just two games in a win over Cassandra Vazquez and Alexa Graham on court two. Tech clinched the point from court one as Paige Hourigan and Kenya Jones upset the No. 1 doubles tandem in the country, Hayley Carter and Jessie Aney, 6-1.
SINGLES PLAY: After gaining the early lead, Tech went up 2-0 in singles play as No. 58 Renaud took a 6-1, 6-2 victory over No. 15 Sara Daavettila on court two, but the Tar Heels grabbed the next two singles matches to even the score at 2-2. Chloe Ouellet-Pizer picked up a 6-3, 6-1 win on court six over Luca Fabian before No. 2 Carter held off No. 50 McAdoo’s second set rally to come away with a 6-4, 6-4 win on court one.
Competing on court four, Otsuka returned the lead to the Yellow Jackets, fighting back in a decisive third set. The freshman pocketed the first set 6-3, but dropped the second 6-4 to No. 97 Makenna Jones. Otsuka rolled to a 6-3 third set win to take the match and put Tech in front 3-2.
The match would come down to the final two courts, both playing in third set battles. On court three, No. 84 Hourigan split sets with No. 32 Aney. Aney climbed out with a 5-2 lead in the final third set, but Hourigan battled back to 5-4 before Aney clinched the third set 6-4, moving the match score to 3-3.
Seconds later, UNC clinched the match 4-3 when No. 66 Alexa Graham defeated Jones on court four. Graham won the first set 6-4, but Jones forced a deciding third set, winning set two with a 7-5 tiebreak. Graham was able to capitalize in the final set, winning 6-2.
QUOTABLE: “Today was a fun match to play. Every time we get an opportunity to play against a tough team, we get the chance to see where we need to improve. Now we will focus on final exams and get ready for the NCAA Tournament.” — Head Coach Rodney Harmon
UP NEXT: The NCAA selection show will take place on Tuesday, May 2 at 5 p.m. live on NCAA.com.
No. 8 Georgia Tech vs. No. 5 North Carolina
Match Score: No. 5 North Carolina 4, No. 8 Georgia Tech 3
DOUBLES
1. No. 39 Paige Hourigan/Kenya Jones (GT) def. No. 1 Hayley Carter/Jessie Aney (UNC) 6-1
2. No. 23 Rasheeda McAdoo/Johnnise Renaud (GT) def. Cassandra Vazquez/Alexa Graham (UNC) 6-2
3. Nami Otsuka/Luca Fabian (GT) vs. Sara Daavettila/Makenna Jones (UNC) 3-3
Order of finish: 2,1
Point: Georgia Tech
SINGLES
1. No. 2 Hayley Carter (UNC) def. No. 50 Rasheeda McAdoo (GT) 6-4, 6-4
2. No. 58 Johnnise Renaud (GT) vs. No. 15 Sara Daavettila (UNC) 6-1, 6-2
3. No. 32 Jessie Aney (UNC) def. No. 84 Paige Hourigan (GT) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
4. No. 66 Alexa Graham (UNC) def. Kenya Jones (GT) 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3
5. Nami Otsuka (GT) def. No. 97 Makenna Jones (UNC) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
6. Chloe Ouellet-Pizer (UNC) def. Luca Fabian (GT) 6-3, 6-1
Order of finish: 2,6,1,5,3,4
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