First-years power UNC men's tennis past No. 16 seed Boston College in ACC tournament

CARY — First-year Nick Mangiapane has waited for this opportunity for five years. 

The North Carolina native attended the ACC men’s tennis tournament every year during that span as a fan. He cheered for North Carolina. 

And Wednesday afternoon, Mangiapane was at the ACC tournament again. Only this time as a player, representing the same team he once rooted for. 

“It means a lot to represent my home state,” Mangiapane said. “Both of my brothers have gone to UNC as well, my older brothers. So, this is a team I always dreamed about playing for, so it just means that much more to me.” 

Mangiapane didn't disappoint.

The first-year helped clinch the first singles point for the Tar Heels in their opening round win in the ACC tournament, pushing No. 9 seed UNC past No. 16 seed Boston College, 4-0, at Cary Tennis Park. With five of six starters playing in the ACC tournament for the first time, North Carolina turned to its two young guns — Mangiapane and first-year Chris Xu — to steer the ship. The win snapped a four-game losing streak, where UNC was swept in every match. 

But the Tar Heels went down early in doubles.

Tensions rose in Mangiapane’s doubles match on court three paired with junior Constantinos Djakouris. Mangiapane struggled to deliver his serve. He had to make an adjustment. 

“I was trying to serve a little bit smarter, some more body serves,” Mangiapane said. “Not go as big, just try to set Constantinos up at the net and go from there, instead of just trying to just go for aces.” 

UNC's doubles pairings on court one and two clinched the early point. But despite his doubles match not finishing, Mangiapane took the momentum from his 6-5 lead into his singles match, where he won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. 

Mangiapane wasn’t the only first-year to play a big role in Wednesday’s victory. Xu, who made his return to the No. 2 slot in singles for UNC, also clinched in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. 

The singles win is a long time coming for Xu, who struggled at the number two position earlier in the season. 

“I played quite a few at number two before, I couldn’t get it done, I couldn’t get it finished,” Xu said. “But it feels good this time to get it done and win.” 

Xu's opponent, Boston College's Andy Ilie, searched for answers all match but couldn't find them. Following his match clinching point, Xu turned to the UNC players on the side of the court and screamed. 

“It was very exciting because it’s been three weeks [that] I couldn’t finish the match,” Xu said. “I’m very happy to get it done.”

And as the young team looks to continue this momentum into their second round game, the growing confidence of key first-years will be a instrumental part. 

“To represent UNC and get the first point on the board in singles, it means a lot to me,” Mangiapane said.  

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