MARY DUBY

Sports

Terry hits bump in adjusting to starting role

By MARY DUBY | January 26

Reyshawn Terry hadn't even made it off the court and North Carolina coach Roy Williams was already in his face. While waiting for Danny Green to check in for the junior forward, Williams pulled at his sport coat and sent it flying toward the team managers. But when Williams yanked Terry with 12:24 remaining in the game, it wasn't because he made a big block and missed his jumpshot on the other end. It wasn't because he repeatedly struggled to transition back on defense and left his man open. Instead, he went to the bench as punishment for bickering with freshman Bobby Frasor.

Sports

Larkins' interior presence essential

By MARY DUBY | January 23

In what turned out to be an ugly victory, the North Carolina women's basketball team looked inside. And there the Tar Heels found Erlana Larkins. The sophomore forward, who leads the team in rebounds, scored 22 points for the Tar Heels for the second consecutive game. "We've got to get her the ball," said UNC Coach Sylvia Hatchell. "She works so hard in there, we got to get her the ball. . She's tough down in there and she's hard to guard." While the team looks to the co-captain for buckets underneath, Larkins said she tries to let the game come to her.

Sports

Please, no pros on reality TV

By MARY DUBY | January 17

I didn't think it was possible. I always knew it was bad, but I didn't think the standards could sink this low. But then FOX unveiled its new reality series, "Skating with Celebrities." I don't know who to be more disappointed in - the creators or the professional skaters who signed on to participate. From the producers' end, the show is an obvious attempt by FOX to compete with ABC's surprisingly popular "Dancing with the Stars." But these aren't B-list figure skaters. Scott Hamilton and Nancy Kerrigan are household names.

Sports

The undisputed champions

By MARY DUBY | April 28

On Nov. 19, 2004, North Carolina didn’t look like national champions. It didn’t look like a team that deserved to be ranked in the top 10, let alone one that warranted a No. 4 preseason ranking. But almost five months later, the Tar Heels didn’t resemble the team that had suffered an embarrassing season-opening loss to Santa Clara, as they dramatically defeated Illinois 75-70 in the national championship game.

Sports

Bumpers claims 2nd NCAA gymnastics title

By MARY DUBY | April 25

This time, Courtney Bumpers didn’t have to share. It was hers — and hers alone. No one could contest the perfection with which she performed in the floor exercise Saturday at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships at Auburn. The North Carolina junior scored a 10.0 to earn her second consecutive national title in the floor exercise. In 2004, Bumpers was co-champion in the event with Alabama’s Ashley Miles. In 2005, she was the sole winner.

Sports

Tar Heels rebound, upset No. 10 Cornell

By MARY DUBY | March 24

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Just as the North Carolina men’s lacrosse team returned to Fetzer Field after halftime Wednesday, an array of fireworks lit up the sky above the right end of the stadium. It seemed as if someone knew that No. 19 UNC was returning from a 6-0 second quarter run which carried the team to a 9-5 upset of No. 10 Cornell. “I was actually watching (the fireworks) a little bit,” said senior attackman Jed Prossner. “It might have helped us a bit.”

Sports

'Pack snaps gymnasts' win streak

By MARY DUBY | February 28

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.

Sports

Wildcats' zone defense trips up UNC

By MARY DUBY | February 21

The one-goal game. It’s plagued the North Carolina women’s lacrosse team for two seasons and reared its head again Sunday as the Tar Heels fell 6-5 to No. 3 Northwestern at Fetzer Field. After the Wildcats switched to a zone defense in the second half, No. 6 UNC failed to find the back of the net and gave up a 5-2 halftime lead. “We got frazzled,” said senior attacker Allison Higgins, who had one goal in the loss. “We needed people to be going through and working harder off ball.”

Sports

UNC routs 2nd top-30 team in as many weeks

By MARY DUBY | January 31

If there is one thing the North Carolina women’s tennis team hasn’t shied away from so far this season, it’s tough competition. Just four matches into the season, the No. 15 Tar Heels already have defeated their second top-30 team, taking down No. 29 Indiana 6-1 Sunday at Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center.

Sports

Tar Heels take down 18th-ranked Tennessee

By MARY DUBY | January 24

After ousting the North Carolina women’s tennis team in the NCAA Regional final last year, Tennessee came to Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center and covered the visitor sign on the scoring posts with orange signs reading “UT,” as if laying claim to the courts. But the Lady Volunteers couldn’t make good on that claim Saturday, and No. 15 UNC garnered a hard-fought 5-2 victory, defeating Tennessee for just the second time since 1986.