May 22, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas --- North Carolina junior Sanaz Marand moved into the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championship with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Furman's Laura Gioia Friday afternoon at Texas A&M's Mitchell Tennis Center. With the win, Marand will face No. 2-seeded Julia Cohen of Miami Saturday for a spot in the national semifinals.
"I'm just thrilled for Sanaz to be playing at such a high level here at the end of the season," head coach Brian Kalbas said. "To be back in her home state of Texas and making a run like this is really impressive. Add to that the fact that she is such a great person in addition to being a great tennis player and it makes it all that much more exciting."
Marand dropped just two games in becoming the first Tar Heel singles player to advance to the national quarterfinals since Kate Pinchbeck in 2002. Prior to that, only Cinda Gurney, who lost in the 1993 NCAA title match, had been this far in the event.
In order to advance to the national semifinals, Marand will have to take down the No. 2 overall seed in the event. The Katy, Texas, native will also look to avenge a 6-4, 6-1 loss to Cohen in Coral Gables, Fla., from earlier this season.
Marand is set to take the court at 10 a.m. CT and the match can be seen live at http://www.aggieathletics.com/ncaa2009/tennis/stats.html.
NCAA Singles Championship
Singles
Sanaz Marand (UNC) def. Laura Gioia (Furman), 6-1, 6-1
