University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Host No. 8 Georgia on Saturday
February 13, 2015 | Women's Gymnastics
Chapel Hill, N.C. – North Carolina returns to competition on Sat, Feb. 14 in the third dual meet of the season. The Tar Heels will square off against No. 8 Georgia at 1 p.m. in Carmichael Arena.
“This weekend we will host Georgia, a team that has not been to Chapel Hill in 14-15 years,” said head coach Derek Galvin. “In that interim they have won six national championships and they've been a consistent top team.”
On Sat, Feb. 7, the Tar Heels took on William & Mary for the third time this season. The Tar Heels emerged victorious for the third time, defeating the Tribe 194.425-192.800.
During the first home victory of the season, several Tar Heels had spectacular performances.
Morgan Lane won the all-around competition for the third time this season, scoring a 39.000. Lane placed in the top three of two rotations: beam and floor. On the balance beam, she had a 9.675, placing third, and notched a 9.850 on floor, taking first place.
In her second week of competition on the apparatus, Kaitlynn Hedelund had a season-best score of 9.850 on vault, finishing second among all competitors. Hedelund notched a 9.825 on bars, tying for second.
Sarah Peterson competed in three rotations – vault, bars and beam – and placed in the top four in two of the three. Peterson notched a 9.750 on the beam, tying for first, and scored a 9.775 on vault, placing fourth.
Haley Watts finished second in the all-around competition, tallying a score of 38.925. During the competition, Watts placed in the top four in three rotations. On the uneven bars, Watts notched a season-best of 9.825, tying for second. She had a 9.800 on vault, taking third place, and scored a 9.700 on floor, placing fourth.
“The advantage for us for competing against a team like Georgia is it gives a much better idea of where we are and where we need to get to. I think it is a great opportunity for our team and the spectators to see one of the top teams in the nation,” said Galvin.
This weekend's opponent:
On Fri, Feb. 6, No. 2 LSU defeated No. 8 Georgia 198.075-196.850.
Georgia's performance was highlighted by several individual season-highs and a season-high of 49.425 on vault in Baton Rouge, La.
The Bulldogs began competition on bars where Sarah Persinger had a season-high 9.850. On vault, four gymnasts notched season-bests, including one career-best. Natalie Vaculik had a career-best score of 9.900.
Heading into this weekend's competition, the Tar Heels have a record of 9-3 (3-1 EAGL) while the Bulldogs have a record of 2-4 (2-2 SEC).
“Our training this week has gone well and I have every reason to believe that our team is going to compete well tomorrow and take advantage of the opportunity to get some really good scores,” said Galvin.
Following Saturday's competition, the Tar Heels will return to action on Sat, Feb. 21 in Raleigh, N.C. UNC will take on NC State, Kent State and Rutgers at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum.
Players Mentioned
