UNC women’s tennis co-captains win crucial matches to earn ACC title

CARY — When the North Carolina women’s tennis team dropped the doubles point to scorching-hot Florida State in the ACC Championship final, history seemed to be repeating itself.

Last season, in this same tournament, UNC fell one win short of capturing its first ACC Championship since 2002, falling to Georgia Tech in the final round.

But this year, when staring at a similar situation and another potential heartbreaking loss in the final, UNC co-captains Jelena Durisic and Shinann Featherston simply refused to let their team falter.

Durisic and Featherston each notched clutch three-set singles wins to help No. 5 UNC dispatch of No. 18 Florida State 4-3 and finally claim the elusive ACC Championship.

“We finally got it after nine years. I’m very proud,” Durisic said. “It’s exciting … I really wanted it last year, and this year, I wanted it even more.”

Not only did Durisic and Featherston provide crucial wins against FSU, they did so against opponents each had recently lost to when UNC fell 4-2 to FSU in the regular-season finale.

In that loss, Francesca Segarelli beat Durisic in straight-sets, and Noemie Scharle narrowly beat Featherston.

For the second straight day, Featherston earned the vital singles win. After securing her title-clinching win, Featherston was immediately mobbed by her teammates in celebration.

“I knew my team wanted this and so did I, and I didn’t want to let them down,” Featherston said.

Featherston was named MVP of the tournament for her efforts, not losing a singles or doubles match all weekend.

“I just happened to come out with a win today and last night, but everyone stepped up this weekend,” Featherston said. “They chose me, but I feel that it’s a team award.”

For the co-captains, prevailing against tough odds is nothing new.

“Those two both tore their ACL freshman years,” head coach Brian Kalbas said. “For them to come through today for the team as captains speaks to their leadership.”

Featherston and Durisic have been clutch for UNC all season.

Featherston formed a dominant doubles tandem with sophomore Lauren McHale. The duo is ranked sixth nationally.

Durisic had the best overall singles record during the season, and said she took on extra responsibility as the lone senior on this year’s team.

In the end, Durisic said failure was not an option after last season’s disappointment.

“I wanted to do everything possible for this team, fight until the end, and it just worked out,” Durisic said.

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.