Janelle Bailey has been among the top freshmen in the ACC this season.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Bailey Thriving, Olympic Sports Notes
December 4, 2017 | Women's Basketball, Featured Writers
by Pat James, GoHeels.com
Over the past two seasons, the North Carolina women's basketball team's first back-to-back losing campaigns since 1989-91, the Tar Heels' most glaring weakness has been the lack of a reliable post presence.
The sample size might be limited. But through eight games this season, freshman center Janelle Bailey has appeared to be the solution to that problem.
Averaging 14.9 points, Bailey ranks first among ACC freshmen and third on UNC in scoring. Her 52.6 field goal percentage is the sixth best in the conference, and she's tied for 10th in rebounds, averaging 8.1.
In home wins over Minnesota on Wednesday, Hartford on Friday and Appalachian State on Sunday, Bailey proved pivotal, averaging 15 points and 12.3 rebounds.Â
Her double-doubles against Minnesota (15 points and 13 rebounds) and Hartford (a season-high 25 points and 13 rebounds) were her second and third of the season. And even though she scored five points against Appalachian State, her only game in single digits this season, she still paced the Tar Heels with 11 crucial rebounds.
Winn, Wright propel men's soccer back to College Cup
Behind strong performances from senior forwards Alan Winn and Zach Wright, the men's soccer team defeated Fordham 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.Â
With the win, UNC advanced to the NCAA Men's College Cup for the sixth time over the last 10 seasons, marking the most appearances by any program in the country during that span. The Tar Heels will face Indiana in the semifinals of the NCAA Championship on Friday in Philadelphia.Â
Baldwin shines at Tennessee Invitational
The University of Tennessee Invitational came to a fitting end for Caroline Baldwin on Saturday night, when she won the women's 100-yard freestyle in 47.14 seconds.
Baldwin's time was the second-fastest in the NCAA this year. And it also handed her another school record, the second she established during the three-day meet.
In Thursday's preliminaries, Baldwin broke her previous school record of 21.78 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle, posting a time of 21.68. She then bested that in the "A" final of the event later that night, clocking a 21.48.
Baldwin also claimed the women's 100-yard backstroke on Friday with a time of 51.95, giving her three individual wins for the weekend.
Heilmann continues hot start
Sitting at No. 6 in Flo Wrestling's 149-pound rankings, Troy Heilmann entered the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational with an 8-0 record this season.
And although he suffered his first loss, a 9-7 decision against Central Michigan's Justin Oliver in the final, he continued his impressive start with two wins over top-10 opponents en route to a second-place finish.
Heilmann's thrilling 10-8 victory over Ke-Shawn Hayes of Ohio State in the quarterfinals was the highlight of the weekend. After Hayes led 6-0, Heilmann seized an 8-7 edge with a takedown and a four-point near fall in the second period. Hayes tied the match at 8 with an escape in the third period, but Heilmann's takedown with 59 seconds left earned him the win.
Heilmann's performance carried UNC to a 15th-place finish in the overall standings.
Â
Over the past two seasons, the North Carolina women's basketball team's first back-to-back losing campaigns since 1989-91, the Tar Heels' most glaring weakness has been the lack of a reliable post presence.
The sample size might be limited. But through eight games this season, freshman center Janelle Bailey has appeared to be the solution to that problem.
Averaging 14.9 points, Bailey ranks first among ACC freshmen and third on UNC in scoring. Her 52.6 field goal percentage is the sixth best in the conference, and she's tied for 10th in rebounds, averaging 8.1.
In home wins over Minnesota on Wednesday, Hartford on Friday and Appalachian State on Sunday, Bailey proved pivotal, averaging 15 points and 12.3 rebounds.Â
Her double-doubles against Minnesota (15 points and 13 rebounds) and Hartford (a season-high 25 points and 13 rebounds) were her second and third of the season. And even though she scored five points against Appalachian State, her only game in single digits this season, she still paced the Tar Heels with 11 crucial rebounds.
Winn, Wright propel men's soccer back to College Cup
Behind strong performances from senior forwards Alan Winn and Zach Wright, the men's soccer team defeated Fordham 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.Â
With the win, UNC advanced to the NCAA Men's College Cup for the sixth time over the last 10 seasons, marking the most appearances by any program in the country during that span. The Tar Heels will face Indiana in the semifinals of the NCAA Championship on Friday in Philadelphia.Â
Baldwin shines at Tennessee Invitational
The University of Tennessee Invitational came to a fitting end for Caroline Baldwin on Saturday night, when she won the women's 100-yard freestyle in 47.14 seconds.
Baldwin's time was the second-fastest in the NCAA this year. And it also handed her another school record, the second she established during the three-day meet.
In Thursday's preliminaries, Baldwin broke her previous school record of 21.78 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle, posting a time of 21.68. She then bested that in the "A" final of the event later that night, clocking a 21.48.
Baldwin also claimed the women's 100-yard backstroke on Friday with a time of 51.95, giving her three individual wins for the weekend.
Heilmann continues hot start
Sitting at No. 6 in Flo Wrestling's 149-pound rankings, Troy Heilmann entered the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational with an 8-0 record this season.
And although he suffered his first loss, a 9-7 decision against Central Michigan's Justin Oliver in the final, he continued his impressive start with two wins over top-10 opponents en route to a second-place finish.
Heilmann's thrilling 10-8 victory over Ke-Shawn Hayes of Ohio State in the quarterfinals was the highlight of the weekend. After Hayes led 6-0, Heilmann seized an 8-7 edge with a takedown and a four-point near fall in the second period. Hayes tied the match at 8 with an escape in the third period, but Heilmann's takedown with 59 seconds left earned him the win.
Heilmann's performance carried UNC to a 15th-place finish in the overall standings.
Â
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