April 3, 2006

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Lone senior Tanja Markovic earned Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week accolades this week after helping the No. 4 North Carolina women's tennis team, according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, to three ACC wins over the past week and weekend. Markovic, who recently came off an injury that had sidelined her, came back strong over Wake Forest, Maryland and Boston College. She currently posts a 19-10 singles record and a 4-0 doubles record with teammate Austin Smith.

Markovic, a native from Auckland, New Zealand, clinched both the Wake Forest and Maryland matches for the Tar Heels. Against No. 17 Wake Forest on Wednesday, Markovic downed Sierra Pokse at the six seed in the deciding match, 6-1, 5-7, 6-0. No. 4 North Carolina won the match 4-3, earning its fifth ACC match. Teaming with freshman Austin Smith, Markovic and Smith downed Poske and Christine Simpson at the three seed, 8-6.

Over No. 37 Maryland, Markovic clinched the match again at the six seed in the deciding match, this time defeating Julia Graca, 7-6 (6), 6-2. In doubles, Markovic and Smith cruised past Graca and Neda Mihneva at the three seed, 8-4. North Carolina defeated Maryland, 4-3.

Markovic and Smith helped the Tar Heels sweep Boston College on Sunday in doubles action. The North Carolina tandem downed Lindsey Nash and Gia Nafarrete, 8-4, clinching the doubles point.

Markovic has a six-game singles win streak on hand and is a perfect 4-0 with Smith in doubles in dual action.

The Tar Heels (22-3, 7-1 ACC) will next face No. 12 Duke in Durham, N.C., on Wednesday, April 5. The match is set for a 4 p.m. start.