Gymnastics Flips Into 2025 Season At Alabama

Friday, January 10

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)

North Carolina

Alabama

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

January 9, 2025 | Women's Gymnastics

2025 Quick Facts Watch Live Scores UNC Meet Notes 2025 Media Guide

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The 2025 season officially gets underway this weekend for North Carolina gymnastics, which travels to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama on Friday, Jan. 10. The meet will begin at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) inside Coleman Coliseum.

UNC's season opener will be streamed on SEC Network + with Luisa Blanco and Roger Hoover on call.

The 2025 campaign will be Carolina's second year competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Gymnastics became the league's 28th sponsored sport a season ago, and six teams now offer the sport with the addition of Cal and Stanford.

Meet Info
Who: (36) Carolina at (6) Alabama
What: 2025 season opener
Where: Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Coleman Coliseum
When: Friday, January 10 – 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
Links: Live Stream | Live Scores

Ten Things To Know

The Tar Heels were picked to finish in fifth place in the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll. The team received one first-place vote.
Carolina was slotted at No. 36 in the WCGA Preseason Poll. It was the 10th time UNC earned a preseason nod since 2001.
Lali Dekanoidze and Julia Knower, both seniors, landed on the ACC Preseason Watch List for the second year in a row.
Freshman JoJo Valahovic found herself on the ACC Newcomer Watch List. The all-arounder hails from Sagamore Hills, Ohio.
In addition to Valahovic, UNC has welcomed three more newcomers to its roster: freshmen TaeLyn Canty and Regan McBride as well as junior transfer Claire Stippich.
Last year, the Tar Heels earned a season-high 196.65 on Feb. 16 for their eighth-highest team score in program history.
Carolina achieved four team scores of 196.0+ as well as 18 rotations of 49.0+ in 2024.
UNC tied for third at the 2024 ACC Championships, the first conference championship in 40 years. Last year marked the inaugural ACC season.
Dekanoidze (vault, bars) and Isabelle Schaefer (bars) were named to the All-ACC First Team a season ago. Both athletes qualified as individuals for NCAA Regionals.
Dekanoidze (bars), Knower (floor), Jessica Naranjo (beam) and Schaefer (bars) earned All-Championship Team honors for finishing in the top six on their respective events at the 2024 ACC Championships.

Alabama checked in at No. 6 in the WCGA Preseason Poll. The Crimson Tide finished the 2024 season ranked No. 8 in the final poll after advancing to the national semifinal.

Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.