University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
New Hampshire
Carolina Posts Highest Score of the Season to Defeat New Hampshire 196.100-195.300
February 23, 2020 | Women's Gymnastics
DURHAM, N.H. – The North Carolina women's gymnastics team posted their highest team score of the season to defeat the University of New Hampshire for the second time in one week. After trailing Wildcats after the first rotation, the Tar Heels used their concentration and skills to take the momentum and defeat UNH in Lundholm Arena, 196.100-195.300.
The Tar Heels opened the meet on uneven bars, posting a consistent 48.775 on the event that had challenged them the most this season until recently. Strong performances from all six Tar Heels helped the team to stay competitive through this rotation, but it was senior Grace Donaghy who stood out on the event. Donaghy posted a personal-best score of 9.850 on the event, earning a first place podium finish. Sophomore Emery Summey and freshman Sophie Silverstein also impressed, each earning 9.750 and tying for fourth place with two gymnasts from New Hampshire. After the first rotation, the Tar Heels were trailing by .225.
The team moved on to vault for the second rotation and tied their previous season-best team score on the event, earning a 49.150. Senior Khazia Hislop continued to shine on the event, earning a score of 9.900 to secure first place. Hislop is currently ranked 11th in the nation on vault. Close behind Hislop were sophomore Drew Aldridge and senior Mikayla Robinson who each posted a score of 9.825 and tied for fourth place. Aldridge's score also marked a season-best. Senior Alexis Allen also added a notable 9.800 to the team score, helping the Tar Heels take the lead after the second rotation.
Moving on to floor exercise, the Tar Heels lead by .450. Seniors Hislop and Robinson led the team on the event, claiming first and third place respectively. Hislop earned a score of 9.900 to tie for first place with Emma Winer from UNH, and Mikayla Robinson posted a 9.850 for third. Junior Lily Dean and senior Jamie Antinori also added strong scores of 9.775 and 9.750, respectively to help bring the Tar Heels lead to .575 after the third rotation.
For the final rotation, the Tar Heels were up against the balance beam. As a team, they maintained extreme concentration to earn high scores and keep, and add to, the lead they had gathered. Freshman Elizabeth Culton had her best performance of the day on this event, tying her personal best score with a 9.900 to claim first place. Alexis Allen also tied a personal best on the event with a 9.875, her highest score of the season. Allen tied Hailey Lui of UNH for second place with her score.
Next up, the Tar Heels head back home for a meet against EAGL opponent George Washington University in Carmichael Arena. The meet is set to take place Friday, Feb. 28 at 6:45 p.m.
Players Mentioned
