University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
NC State, Pittsburgh, William & Mary
Tar Heels Win Quad Meet At NC State
February 11, 2017 | Women's Gymnastics
RALEIGH, N.C. - Led by a standout performance from junior all-arounder Morgan Lane, North Carolina scored a 195.675 to win a quad meet at renovated Reynolds Coliseum on the NC State campus Friday evening. The Tar Heels never trailed en route to the meet title, edging the Wolfpack (195.025), Pittsburgh (194.075) and Wiliam & Mary (193.025). It was UNC's highest team score since 2013.
“It was a solid team performance and we were confident and composed throughout the meet," said head coach Derek Galvin. "Our execution improved from the previous meet and that's what we want to do, keep improving each week. It was a great atmosphere and it's always good to win on the road over two conference opponents."
Lane won the all-around with a season-high 39.325 and captured the balance beam with a career-best matching score of 9.950. She also had a 9.850 on floor, a 9.825 on uneven bars and a 9.700 on vault.
Madison Nettles was outstanding in three events, posting scores of 9.875 on floor (second), 9.775 on vault (second) and 9.750 on bars. Kaitlynn Hedelund had what Galvin described as the "her best meet of the season" with a 9.850 on bars, a career-best tying 9.825 on balance beam and a 9.750 on vault.
The Tar Heels jumped out in front from the beginning with with a season-high 49.000 on floor led by a career-best 9.875 by Nettles. Following her outstanding performance, Lane and freshman Khazia Hislop topped the Tar Heels' effort with back-to-back scores of 9.850. The 49.000 was Carolina's highest score on floor since the 2015 season vs. Georgia.
Moving to the vault, Carolina earned 9.700 or better from Lane, Nettles, Hedelund and Christina Pheil. Nettles once again led the team with a 9.775. After two rotations, the Tar Heels and Wolfpack were tied at 97.625.
Carolina's third rotation came on uneven bars where the Tar Heels regained the momentum with a 48.900, just shy of their season high. Nettles again set the pace with a solid 9.750. Freshman Mekyllah Williams posted a 9.750 and freshman Grace Donaghy had a 9.725. Lane scored a 9.825 and Hedelund capped the bar routine with a season-best 9.850.
Looking to secure the win, Emma Marchese matched her season-high with a 9.850 in the team's first routine on balance beam. Hedelund contributed a 9.825, Hislop had 9.850 and Lane secured the win with a 9.950.
"We were pleased with the outcome, but this is just the first part of the weekend," said Galvin, who will take the team to Towson for a meet on Sunday. "We'll travel tomorrow and I'm hoping to have a similar performance. Everyone did their job tonight and we'll need that same team effort Sunday."
Players Mentioned
