Jack Murray, left, and Ronnie Schneider won at No. 3 doubles for the Tar Heels.
NOTRE DAME, IND. -- North Carolinanotched its fifth top-25 victory of the season and its second top-10 triumph as it defeated ninth-ranked Notre Dame 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at the Eck Tennis Pavilion. The Tar Heels improved to 18-3 overall and 5-1 in the ACC with the victory.
The Fighting Irish were the first top-10 opponent the Tar Heels have beaten on the road since April 11, 2012 when North Carolina staged a furious rally from a 3-0 deficit to win at fifth-ranked Duke 4-3. It was the first match the Fighting Irish have been able to host outdoors all season. The loss to Carolina dropped the Irish to 13-7 overall and 3-3 in its maiden season in the ACC.
Carolina demonstrated some of its best doubles play of the season in the match before finishing things off with four straight-sets wins to singles to attain the final 5-2 margin.
North Carolina swept the three doubles matches while dropping only six total games. Brayden Schnur and Brett Clark combined for the win at No. 1 doubles, Nelson Vick and Oystein Steiro was the winning combination at No. 2 doubles and Ronnie Schneider and Jack Murray won at No. 3 doubles.
With the Tar Heels up 1-0, junior Oystein Steiro made quick work of Eddy Covalschi, winning 6-1, 6-3 at No. 5 singles. Freshman Ronnie Schneider's return to his home state proved to be a successful one as he won at No. 2 singles versus Ryan Bandy 6-3, 6-4. Carolina then clinched the match as Jack Murray, another freshman, outlasted Josh Hagar of the Irish at No. 4 singles 6-3, 7-6 (2).
The Irish won the next two matches off the court with Quentin Monaghan winning a tough three-setter versus UNC's Brett Clark at No. 3 singles and 29th-ranked Greg Andrews rallying past Carolina's Brayden Schnur at the top spot.
UNC finished off the triumph as the lone senior in the Tar Heel lineup, Nelson Vick, won at No. 6 singles. Vick won a pair of tiebreakers to prevail versus the Irish's Eric Schnurrenberger.
