Considering the extremely close nature of the three contests between the North Carolina and N.C. State gymnastics teams this season, it seemed almost fitting that the Wolfpack handed UNC its first loss of the year.
While the Tar Heels (13-1-1) had to count a fall on the uneven bars, they managed to score a solid 195.025 on Sunday at Carmichael Auditorium. But the total was not enough to beat out N.C. State (11-3-1), which put up a score of 195.50.
"Certainly we want to outscore every opponent we face," said UNC coach Derek Galvin. "We don't like letting someone else outscore us, particularly in our own house. But State had their best meet, not of just this year, but of several years."
In Raleigh on Friday night, the two teams tied at a score of 194.475. It was the first time either program had ever exactly matched its competitor's score.
"I've never seen it before," Galvin said. "It's a great situation to be in, knowing that you've got a cross town rival that's going to push you."
The Tar Heels defeated the Wolfpack in their first meeting by two-tenths of a point at the Governors Cup on Feb. 5.
Despite the loss, the UNC squad was pleased with its final score, which was its third highest of the year.
"We'll take a 195," said senior Elisabeth Alsop. "We didn't have the best meet we've ever had, but I think we had a lot of improvements. ... (The score) was definitely good for what we did."
The event also marked the last time the seniors performed on their home floor. The group of Alsop, Olivia Trusty, Amy Williams and Morgan Stanley have experienced the four most successful seasons in program history, Galvin said.
