University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
NC State
Carolina Set to Compete in Two Meets in Three Days
February 14, 2020 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Tar Heels could pick up three potential wins this weekend after a close loss to Towson University last Friday in Maryland. This weekend, North Carolina gymnastics will compete in two meets over the course of three days, first at NC State in a tri-meet against the Wolfpack and the University of New Hampshire on Saturday, February 15 and then at home in Carmichael Arena in a dual meet against New Hampshire on Monday, February 17. Saturday's tri-meet at Reynolds Coliseum is expected to begin at 4 p.m. while Monday's competition is slated for a 6 p.m. start."
The Tar Heels currently hold a 4-3 (2-2 EAGL) record, and have the opportunity to pick up three total wins this weekend over NC State and UNH in a tri-meet, and against UNH in a dual meet. As a team, the North Carolina women's gymnastics team currently ranks 22nd in the nation on floor exercise and 30th on vault.
LAST WEEK
The Tar Heels began the night on the uneven bars and saw improvements from their prior weeks' performances on the event as new faces like freshman Hannah Nam entered the line-up. Freshman Elizabeth Culton tied her season high score on the event, scoring a 9.850 and placing second overall. Senior Mekyllah Williams had the Tar Heels second-highest score, posting a 9.675, and sophomore Emery Summey was close behind with a 9.650. After improving their score on the uneven bars as a team by 1.150 (48.075), the Tar Heels trailed Towson by 0.675 points moving on to vault.
"The team is working hard on improving execution and form to minimize some of the deductions they are currently receiving," said head coach Derek Galvin.
North Carolina posted a consistent score of 48.600 as a team on vault. Senior Khazia Hislop earned her second consecutive 9.900 on the event, claiming first place for the Tar Heels on the event. Fellow senior Mikayla Robinson was close behind, earning third place with a score of 9.775. Sophomore Drew Aldridge also added a notable 9.725 to the team score.
For the third rotation, the Tar Heels posted a strong 48.975. Hislop led the team on the event with a 9.825, while Nam, Culton, and Robinson all scored 9.800. Senior Jamie Antinori also added a 9.750 through this rotation. Strong scores across the team allowed the Tar Heels to take the lead following this rotation, 145.650-145.550.
As North Carolina moved on the beam for their final rotation, they attempted to hang on to the .100 lead they had gained. The Tar Heels put up strong performances with Nam earning a career-high 9.825 to lead the team, followed close behind by Hislop with 9.800. However, their team score of 48.575 on the event was not enough to edge out the Towson Tigers, who scored 48.775 on their final rotation to finish first.
Despite falling to Towson, North Carolina still claimed seven podium finishes, including first place on the floor and vault. Culton was also able to edge out a fellow freshman from Towson, Lauren Bolen, in the all-around competition to claim first place with a score of 38.475.
THE OPPONENTS
NC State currently holds a record of 4-3 (3-1 EAGL), with wins over with Lindenwood in a quad meet at Kentucky, Towson, Pittsburgh, and UNC in their last meeting. However, the Tar Heels edged out the Wolfpack in their first meeting in a quad meet at the University of Kentucky. NC State also fell to Ohio State in a close match-up to start their season.
The University of New Hampshire is currently 7-2 (3-0 EAGL), with wins over Illinois State, Pittsburgh, Towson, George Washington, Brown, West Virginia and Temple, and losses to Southern Utah and West Virginia in a tri-meet. The Tar Heels will face the University of New Hampshire on Saturday at NC State and then again in Carmichael Arena on Monday for the team's annual Pink Meet. Saturday will mark the first of four meetings between the two teams this season.
"New Hampshire has a good team and they are returning some very talented gymnasts from last season that helped them win the EAGL Championship," said Galvin. "They have some new girls who are doing really well. They were pre-season picked as a top team and that's the way it's played out at this point."
Players Mentioned
