April 30, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS --- North Carolina singles standouts Sanaz Marand and Katrina Tsang earned at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament, which is set to begin May 21 at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Okla. In addition, Marand and doubles partner Sophie Grabinski earned a bid to the NCAA doubles tournament. Tar Heels Sara Anundsen and Jenna Long won the doubles title in 2007.

Marand has been one of the nation's top singles players in 2008 and was seeded as one of the top 16 players in the tournament. The Katy, Texas, sophomore was an amazing 23-1 in dual matches, with her most recent win coming over then-No. 1 Ani Mijacika of Clemson. Marand is seeded in the No. 9-16 group for the tournament.

Tsang earned an NCAA singles bid for the second year in a row. The Raleigh, N.C., sophomore was 16-7 during the dual match season, including a 7-3 mark in ACC play.

Marand and Grabinski earned an at-large bid after finishing 11-8 in dual matches playing primarily at the No. 1 position. They will be looking to defend the title won last year by teammates Anundsen and Long. That title won by the departed seniors was the first NCAA tennis title in school history.