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Taking a look at the UNC-Duke rivalry through the lens of other sports

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UNC senior Carson Tanguilig strikes the ball during a singles match against Duke at Ambler Tennis Stadium on Saturday, March 30, 2024. UNC won 4-1.

When people first think of the UNC-Duke rivalry, they most often think about men’s basketball. It is one of the most famous and legendary rivalries in the sports world.

While men's basketball oftentimes gets the majority of the attention, the rivalry holds meaning across every sport at North Carolina.  

Since 2024, UNC has a 19-11 record over the Tobacco Road rival.  

Although the volleyball team swept the Blue Devils in 2024, they did not conquer this feat last season.

In 2023, Duke took the first match, 3-1. However, the Tar Heels did not go down without a fight in the second matchup, ultimately defeating Duke, 3-2. It's a match senior libero Maddy May and junior setter Zoe Behrendt will never forget.

In that match, UNC had one goal in mind. 

“Let's just do what we can to keep them out of the tournament, try to crush their faith of having a postseason," Behrendt said. "And we were like, let's do it, one, because we don't want them to play the postseason and two, because it's Duke."

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UNC graduate student outside hitter Emani’ Foster (8) and graduate student middle blocker Alexis Engelbrecht (12) block the ball during the volleyball game against Duke on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Tar Heels found themselves down 24-21 in the fourth set.

But then, UNC won four straight points to take a 25-24 set lead. May threw her arms into the air. Players at the net jumped in the air. The players watching from the bench slid onto the ground. 

After trading points, North Carolina eventually took the fourth set 28-26 to force a fifth. 

Then, the Tar Heels won it, defeating the Blue Devils 3-2 and squashing Duke's NCAA tournament hopes. 

Due to skill, location and scale of team, Behrendt said players that are getting recruited by UNC are also likely getting recruited by Duke. This can foster the rivalry before even stepping foot in Carmichael Arena.

“The rivalry is strong, but we also know people on their team, so it was a mixture of respect but also knowing the rivalry runs deep,” women’s tennis senior Carson Tanguilig said. “At the end of the day, we want to be the better blue.” 

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UNC junior Carson Tanguilig reaches to return the ball during a singles match against Duke at Ambler Tennis Stadium on Saturday, March 30, 2024. UNC won 4-1.

The UNC-Duke rivalry in women’s tennis has been one-sided recently, with the Tar Heels winning their last three matchups with the Blue Devils. 

But still, there's a different feeling associated with Duke matches. 

“It makes it a little bit more exciting,” Tanguilig said. “The adrenaline definitely pumps for sure just because of the legacy of the rivalry and knowing you only have four years to do it. Definitely in those big moments you are a lot more locked in, team’s a lot more energetic and I think the whole atmosphere just changes a little bit because of how deep rooted it is.” 

This mentality permeates through other teams as well. The North Carolina men’s wrestling team has not lost to Duke since the 2015-16 season, meaning no current Tar Heel wrestler has ever lost to the Blue Devils.

The mindset of wrestlers changes when facing off against Duke. In such a heated match, preparation and performance elevates. 

“It’s obviously iconic,” redshirt junior Lachlan McNeil said. “There’s a little bit more emphasis, when we wrestle Duke, on making sure we get bonus points and showing dominance. The rivalry alone spurs us on to really kind of push in these duels.” 

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UNC redshirt sophomore Lachlan McNeil (141) during the match against Penn at Carmicheal Arena on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. UNC loses 10-26.

Understanding and appreciating the competitive nature of UNC and Duke across sports is important in building context to the stories of the historic rivalry. 

From volleyball to wrestling to tennis, games against Duke always have a deeper meaning. 

“Rivalries are historic, and they have gone back for years and years," May said. "You grow up in [North Carolina], and it's like you are taught to be either a Duke or a UNC fan." 

@sofiaszostczuk

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