ORLANDO, Fla. – A 2023 ITA Singles All-American, Georgia Tech’s Carol Lee punched her ticket to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals with a three-set victory in the round of 16 on Wednesday morning.
Facing Auburn’s No. 23 Carolyn Ansari, Lee dropped her first set of the tournament in the opener. On serve at 2-all, Ansari won the next two games for a 4-2 lead before Lee won a break for a 4-3 tally. But Lee’s chance to move back on serve was snapped as the Jacket lost serve on a deuce point, setting up a 5-3 advantage for Ansari. The Tiger served out the opening set, 6-3.
In a second set battle, Lee and Ansari went back-and-forth, setting up a 3-3 set score. Lee gained some momentum when she held serve and then broke Ansari to take a 5-3 lead. The Jacket had a chance to serve out the match, but Ansari battled back and won the next two games to move back on serve at 5-5. Lee held strong and closed out the set, 7-5, to force a deciding third set.
Lee owned the third set, carrying momentum from a hard-fought second set victory. The Jacket jumped out with a 3-0 lead against Ansari and never looked back, not dropping a game to seal the win, 6-0.
With the round of 16 victory, Lee becomes the first Yellow Jacket to reach the NCAA Championship quarterfinals since Irina Falconi in 2010.
Lee will face NC State’s No. 26 Amelia Rajecki for a spot in the NCAA Championship semifinals on Thursday.
RESULTS
Round of 16
No. 15 Carol Lee (GT) def. No. 23 Carolyn Ansari (Auburn) 3-6, 7-5, 6-0
