University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina, NC State Tie Is First For Tar Heels
February 25, 2005 | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 25, 2005
Complete Results
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - For the first time in North Carolina history, the Tar Heel gymnastics team finished a meet with the same score as another team when host NC State and Carolina matched each other's 194.475 totals Friday. Carolina remains undefeated with a record of 13-0-1. The tie was also a program-first for the Wolfpack, now 10-3-1. The two East Atlantic Gymnastics League teams will battle for a winner Sunday when they face each other again in Carolina's final 2005 home meet.
"We've never had a tie before, ever, and it is fitting that we had one with NC State," said head coach Derek Galvin. "It adds more flavor to the rivalry. Neither team absolutely hit, but both stepped up when they needed to. The fact that we tied sets us up for a great competition Sunday."
Carolina set a season-best 49.175 on floor exercise in its third rotation of the night. Junior Courtney Bumpers landed her best score of the season on floor, a 9.90, to lead a rotation that had four of its five scores at or above a 9.80, each of which was a season-high score. Senior Olivia Trusty earned a 9.875, senior Elisabeth Alsop a 9.825 and sophomore Christine Robella a 9.80 to place in the top six.
"The team tonight on floor was the best thus far," said Galvin. "The energy of the team, the level of execution, the tumbling, everything was an improvement."
The Tar Heels had a shaky start, earning a 48.40 on uneven bars, five-tenths of a point behind NC State's 48.90 vault score. Vault was an improvement, as Carolina did not count any scores below a 9.75 and notched its second-highest tally of the night, a 48.875. The team took the lead over the Wolfpack, who struggled on uneven bars, coming up with a 47.70 in the second rotation.
Carolina furthered its lead after floor exercise, although it still consisted of less than a point (.95), but counted its only fall of the night on its final event - balance beam. Beam proved to be the hardest challenge, as the Tar Heels yielded their lowest score, a 48.025. Robella carried the team, though, scoring a season-high 9.825. The Wolfpack needed a 48.975 on floor exercise to match Carolina's score, which is exactly what they did.
For the first time this season, the Tar Heels did not have an all-around winner. NC State's Kylah Bachman took the number one spot, but Robella, Trusty and Bumpers placed second, third and fourth, respectively. Robella's 39.125 was her highest of the three meets she has competed all-around this season. She and junior Mikel Hester have dealt with injuries that have limited their performances all season. Hester earned solid scores on every event except balance beam, where she had a fall, and wound up with a fifth place 38.325 in the all-around.
"Mikel Hester and Christine Robella just keep battling week after week," Galvin said. "Everyone does, but especially those two. They have been dealing with injuries all season, and the performances they have given us require them to fight very hard."
NC State and North Carolina will face each other again on Sunday, this time in the Tar Heels' gym. The meet will take place Sunday at 2 p.m. in Carmichael Auditorium, and it will be the last home meet of the season.
Players Mentioned
