University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Travels to Williamsburg to Take on the Tribe
March 4, 2016 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina gymnastics team returns to action on Saturday, March 5 to take on William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. The Tar Heels fourth competition against the Tribe in the 2016 season will begin at 4 p.m. in Kaplan Arena.
“Our focus going into this meet will be form and execution as we prepare for not just this meet, but the last two meets at Florida and EAGL [Championships],” said UNC head coach Derek Galvin.
On Saturday, Feb. 26, UNC competed against a talented Rutgers squad for Senior Night in Carmichael Arena. After a highly contentious meet, the Scarlet Knights outscored the Tar Heels, 193.550-191.225.
The team's lineup during the meet was limited due to injuries to several gymnasts. Sarah Peterson was unable to compete, while Kaitlynn Hedelund and Madison Nettles were only able to compete in a limited fashion.
“It doesn't look likely that Sarah Peterson is going to be compete because she hasn't been able to practice this week. Kaitlynn [Hedelund] will do at least bars. We're not sure about beam,” said Galvin.
Galvin continued, “The objective for everyone, regardless of how many events they are competing in, is cleaner execution and form.”
North Carolina was able to overcome the significant adversity and notch a solid team performance. The Tar Heels hope to carry the momentum and bring a healthier team to Williamsburg.
Several UNC gymnasts had stellar individual performances on Friday during Senior Night, which resulted in five season-best scores.
During her final performance in Carmichael Arena, Lexi Cappalli had season-best scores on the vault (9.675) and floor exercise (9.800). Cappalli's floor routine earned her a tie for third place with the Scarlet Knights' Riahanah Ali.
Morgan Lane notched a season-best score of 39.200 in the all-around competition to take first place. This was Lane's fifth consecutive all-around score over 39.000.
Christina Pheil scored a season-best score of 9.525 on the vault, which earned her 10th place on the apparatus.
This weekend's opponent:
On Friday, William & Mary travelled to Towson, Md. for a quad meet against Towson, George Washington and NC State. The Tribe posted a season-best score of 192.975 to take fourth place behind the Wolfpack (195.925), Colonials (195.350) and Tigers (194.550).
The competition was highlighted by Brittany Stover and Briana Gironda, who placed seventh and eighth in the all-around competition, respectively. Gironda posted the Tribe's top score in three events – bars, beam and floor – en route to a career-best score of 38.925 in the all-around competition.
Gironda's standout performance in Friday's meet earned her Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Gymnast of the Week honors.
Following this weekend's competition, the Tar Heels will travel to Gainesville, Fla. to take on the No. 2 Florida Gators for the final regular season competition. North Carolina will take on the Gators in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center beginning at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
