University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Rutgers
UNC Falls to Rutgers on Senior Night in Carmichael Arena
February 27, 2016 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina gymnastics team closed out home competition for the 2016 season on Friday evening with a Senior Night matchup against Rutgers. After a highly contentious meet, the Scarlet Knights edged out the Tar Heels, 193.550-191.225, to earn the victory. Morgan Lane earned a first place finish in three of the four rotations, including the uneven bars, the balance beam and the floor exercise, and in the all-around.
“We were competing shorthanded, but I thought we had some really strong individual performances,” said UNC head coach Derek Galvin.
A crowd of 1,600 was in attendance for Senior Night in Carmichael Arena.
Lane took first place in the all-around competition with a season-high score of 39.200. Lexi Cappalli notched a score of 38.675 to take second place among all competitors.
“We had some strong individual performances tonight. Lexi Cappalli and Morgan Lane both had really strong all-around meets,” said Galvin.
Galvin continued, “Hopefully, we will have her back and she will have opportunities to compete later in the season.”
Due to injuries to several gymnasts, North Carolina only had five gymnasts in two of the four rotations, including vault and beam. Despite the limited room for error, the Tar Heels were able to overcome adversity and post a respectable team score on Friday.
Sarah Peterson was unable to compete, while Kaitlynn Hedelund was only able to compete on two apparatuses - bars and beam.
“For two of our seniors, their final home meet was what I wanted for them,” said Galvin. “Unfortunately, Sarah [Peterson]'s ankle was tweaked in warm ups, and she wasn't able to compete tonight.”
UNC kicked the competition off on vault, posting a score of 47.500. Cappalli led the way for the Tar Heels with a season-high score of 9.675, which earned her a tie for fifth place with the Scarlet Knights' Libby Groden. Lane finished in eighth place with a score of 9.625. Lauren Weisel notched a score of 9.575 for the Tar Heels, while Christina Pheil had a season-best score of 9.525. In addition, Madison Nettles scored a 9.100 to close out competition on the vault.
The Tar Heels next competed on the uneven bars, and the team notched a score of 47.800. Lane notched a score of 9.850 on the apparatus to break her previous career-high of 9.825, which was set on Feb. 7, 2014 against William & Mary. This performance earned her first among all competitors. Hedelund took second place with a score of 9.800. Cappalli scored a 9.575 on the bars, which earned her sixth place. Josselyn Mackey had a 9.550 for the Tar Heels, while Pheil added a score of 9.025.
On the balance beam, North Carolina notched a score of 47.875. Lane led the way on the apparatus with a score of 9.850, which tied her season-high that was set on Saturday, Jan. 30 against George Washington. This score earned her first place among all competitors. Hedelund tied for fifth place with Libby Groden of Rutgers with a score of 9.750. Mackey notched a score of 9.650 to take seventh place for the Tar Heels. Cappalli scored a 9.625 on the apparatus, which earned her eighth place. In addition, Pheil had a score of 9.000 on the beam.
UNC closed out competition in Carmichael Arena on the floor exercise, and the team scored a 48.050. The floor proved to be the Tar Heels' strongest apparatus of the evening. Lane led UNC with a score of 9.875, which tied her season-high set on Jan. 10 against William & Mary. This performance earned Lane a first place finish among all competitors. Cappalli closed out her career in Carmichael Arena with a season-best score of 9.800, tying for third place with the Scarlet Knights' Riahanah Ali. Weisel notched a score of 9.675 for the Tar Heels, while Nettles added a score of 9.600. Additionally, Pheil had a 9.100 on the apparatus for UNC.
Following the conclusion of competition, the three senior gymnasts – Sarah Peterson, Josselyn Mackey and Lexi Cappalli – were honored for their athletic and academic accomplishments throughout their college careers.
“It's amazing how quickly the time has gone by from their freshman year. They are all exceptional young women, and I am going to miss them,” said Galvin.
Galvin continued, “We've got three more meets to go. We have to prepare [to face] William & Mary next week and then we go to Florida and then the EAGL Championships. We've still got some more opportunities ahead to show what we're capable of.”
North Carolina will return to action on Saturday, March 5 in Williamsburg, Va. to take on William & Mary for the fourth time in the 2016 season. The competition will begin at 4 p.m. in Kaplan Arena.
Players Mentioned
