May 9, 2000

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina's women's tennis program recently added one of the nation's top high school talents in Lee Bairos of Sarasota, Fla.

Bairos, who will graduate from Riverside High School, is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation in 16s singles. Her doubles tandem is ranked No. 2 nationally and has posted two runner-up finishes in national championships.

Carolina Head Coach Roland Thornqvist is excited about adding Bairos to the program. "Lee is an outstanding kid, and we're thrilled she'll be joining the Carolina program in the fall. She is an excellent athlete and is very good academically. She is the type of student-athlete that would make any program proud. We're very excited she is going to be a Tar Heel and thrilled with our signing class this year."

Bairos joins Boston's Julie Rotondi as top prep players headed to Carolina in the fall of 2000. Rotondi is ranked No. 6 in the nation at 18s singles.

The current Tar Heels are set to take on Arkansas in the opening round on the NCAA Women's Tennis Tournament Friday at 10 a.m. in Durham, N.C.