A really evenly matched ACC Friday night meet! The No.49 Pittsburgh Panthers are traveling down to North Carolina to take on the No. 47 Tar Heels in their second head-to-head competition of the year. With averages shortly becoming NQS’ in the next week, Pitt is coming in with an average of a 194.688, the slightest amount behind UNC that is averaging a 194.708. Both teams are still counting at least one team score of a 193 toward their NQS, so competition will be a great opportunity half way through the season for both to erase some of these lower scores.
Although Pitt is coming in ranked two spots lower than North Carolina, it is coming off its second highest team score of the year of 195.925 in a meet against Clemson at home last week. Pitt has been building throughout the past handful of competitions, breaking a 196.5 in their last meet against North Carolina. All events for the Panthers have been relatively consistent, scoring high 48s and low 49s, but, as they approach the mid-season point, they will want to hone in on some of these little details on top of what they have already been doing in order to hit a 196+ consistently. Jah’Liyah Bedminster has been clutch for the Panthers the past two weeks on vault, scoring a perfect 9.95 on her Yurchenko full against UNC two weeks ago, and earning a 9.9 on an identical vault against Clemson this past week. Keep an eye out for fifth year Arayah Simons who put up three scores of a 9.825 plus on her three events, and Jordan Ewing, who tied for the win on floor with a huge 9.9 against Clemson.
Hosting their fourth home meet of the season, North Carolina will be looking to break out of this 194 streak and get back into the 195 range it hit in its first three meets of the season. Last week, UNC took on N.C. State and had a good meet, but not a complete one. Each competition, UNC has had one event that’s given them some trouble, but all of the pieces for this team to succeed are there. The Tarheels didn’t break into the 9.9s this past weekend, with their highest scores coming from Camryn Rueda on floor with a 9.875, and Lali Dekanoidze with a 9.85 on bars. Beam was what gave UNC a tough time at N.C. State having to count a fall half way through the lineup, but, this event has been consistent with the meets preceding this one. Chalking it up to being just a weird rotation for the Tar Heels, if they can put their full meet together in their home arena, this will be a close meet throughout.
Follow along here for the live video coverage this Friday at 7:00 EST!
Rotation 1: UNC Vault, Pitt Bars
Fink (UNC): Starting off the meet for UNC at home, with a nice Yurchenko full with a big hop back but nice distance. 9.75.
Madso (PITT): Starts with a nice Maloney, big split on back swing, to shoot over, nice, toe hand stand, stalder to double tuck, little step back. A nice lead off with a little bit of a struggle at the end. 9.75.
Shinohara (UNC): Yurchenko full, ALMOST stuck! a little hop in place, really nice! 9.850.
Garvey (PITT): Huge straddle Jaegar to nice shoot over to toe circle. Toe on, front pike half with a small step back. Nice season debut for her! 9.825.
Prejean (UNC): Yurchenko full, flairs it out with a small step back. Really clean vault lineup going so far! 9.750.
Lerro (PITT): After a long judges conference we are back! Starts with a fight for a first handstand, nice Maloney up to shoot over. Blind to double front dismount with a big step forward, but keeps the momentum going! 9.750.
Knower (UNC): Yurchenko full, STUCK! Really nice vault for Knower! Great height and distance, knew exactly where she was. 9.9!
Ewing (PITT): Lots of conferencing over on bars tonight … Starts with a good first handstand to blind, huge piked Jaegar, clear hip to shoot over, nice handstand and a blind full double tuck to STUCK! What a routine for this bars squad! 9.850.
Dekanoidze (UNC): Yurchenko full, STUCK again! Wow! Contagious sticks over on vault tonight. Really nice height and control on that vault. 9.850.
Todd (PITT): Hop to front grip to nice piked Jaegar, really nice shoot over to a blind full to HUGE double tuck with a small step back on the landing. 9.825.
Forbes (UNC): Anchoring a huge vault lineup, a really powerful Yurchenko full with a big hop back, but a great way to close out one of the best lineups of the year for UNC so far! 9.75.
Bedminster (PITT): Opens with a nice Maloney to toe handstand to shoot over, a little loose. Dismounts with a HUGE double layout, small step forward with her chest down on the landing. Another great way to end a nice rotation for Pitt!
After 1: UNC 49.100, PITT 49.050
Wow! this was a great way to start the meet for both teams! North Carolina was DIALED IN on those vault landings, highlighted by Knower’s 9.9 on a STUCK Yurchenko full. UNC should feel confident moving into the next events, and use this momentum moving onto bars. Pitt has been consistent on bars thus far this season and tonight was no different! Each routine looked strong and confident, and more focused on the little details than last week. Moving into vault, which has been a good event for them, they will be looking to close the less than a tenth gap on this second rotation.
Rotation 2: Pitt Vault, UNC Bars
Duke (PITT): Starts it off for Pitt with a Yurchenko full with a small step back. 9.80
Shearer (UNC): Opens for UNC with a blind to huge straddle Jaegar to overshoot, a little loose and splits her legs. Dismounts with a STUCK double layout! That was nice lead off for UNC! 9.825.
Todd (PITT): Front handspring, front tuck half, a little close to the vault, but a nice controlled landing with a small step back. 9.70.
Knower (UNC): Starts with a Geinger, a little loose with a leg split, shoot over, same form deduction, ends with a tucked full in dismount, tries to ‘college stick’ it, but takes a step forward. 9.75.
Madso (PITT): Yurchenko full, stuck! A little slow twist so her feet land a little awkward, but, a great first counting score vault! 9.825.
Forbes (UNC): Nice Maloney, big leg split on the back swing to shoot over, goes through the handstand, and a nice full in dismount to end with a small hop forward! 9.675.
Anand (PITT): Only 10.0 start for Pitt! Front handspring, front pike half; small hop back, but what an improvement from last week! So nice and controlled with really nice form! 9.825.
Fink (UNC): Opens with blind to nice straddle Jaegar to good shootover. Dismounts with a HUGE stuck double layout! Really nice routine in the middle of this UNC lineup! 9.9!
Ward (PITT): Yurchenko full, big step back but a huge vault! 9.825.
Schaefer (UNC) : Following up a huge 9.9, starts with a blind to straddle Jaegar, nice shootover right to handstand. Ends with a STUCK full in! Another GREAT routine for UNC! Contagious sticks are back!! 9.925!
Bedminster (PITT): Three in a row!!! Another STUCK Yurchenko full for Bedminster! Wow! (talk about consistency!) 9.85.
Dekanoidze (UNC): Ending a GREAT rotation for UNC, beautiful Maloney to shoot over. Solid handstand at the end to a STUCK double layout just with a wobble arm swing. What a great way to end for the Tar Heels! 9.9.
After 2: UNC 98.400, Pitt 98.175
This is SO close! Another great rotation for both teams! UNC carried that momentum through to bars, ending with three great routines from Fink, Schaefer and Dekanoidze in that lineup, all going over 9.9! Pitt had a much better vault rotation than last week, much more dialed in on those landings with some new faces in the lineup. Both teams need to keep their momentum and confidence moving into the next two rotations as this is still anyone’s meet! (how exciting!!)
Rotation 3: UNC Beam, Pitt Floor
Naranjo (UNC): Starting this third rotation off, Naranjo is hoping to get UNC off to the strong start they need on this event. Front aerial to BHS, nice connection. Switch half, breaks the connection, to split jump. BHS 1.5 off with a small hop on the landing. A good start for UNC! 9.725.
Ward (PITT): Starting off a strong rotation for Pitt, Ward starts with a front full, front layout, great height. Switch leap to switch half to wolf 1.5, nice connection. Second pass, front rudi, great landing. Really nice lead off for Pitt! 9.850.
Thompson (UNC): Opens with a BHS BHS LOSO, solid! Switch leap to straddle 1/4, nice landing. Round off 1.5 dismount, huge hop forward, but another hit for the Tar Heels! 9.80.
Larson (PITT): Double tuck to start, nice height, but drags her front foot. Switch side to straddle full, nice. Front lay, to front full a little squatty on the landing. Strong routine, fun choreo at the end, we love it. 9.75.
Rueda (UNC): First look at Rueda tonight; starts with full turn, little bobble. BHS LOSO, really nice and solid. Switch leap to split jump. HUGE front tuck! Solid landing. Ends with a round off double full, small hop back! A nice, aggressive beam routine up in the third spot. 9.825.
Todd (PITT): Opens with a huge double pike, really nice control and height on that pass. Second pass front lay to front full, again nice control. Switch half to wolf full, gets both around. Ends with a really nice double tuck. What a routine! This should be a big score for the Panthers. 9.875 (career high!)
Fink (UNC): Getting into the back half of this lineup, Fink starts with a nice switch leap to switch leap. BHS LOSO LOSO beautiful control. Full turn, little arm bobble, BHS 1.5 small hop forward, really nice routine! 9.825.
Bedminster (PITT): HUGE stuck double tuck to start! Switch side half down to the floor. Second pass, back 1.5 to front layout, really nice. Great routine for Pitt following a great score from Todd! 9.9.
Knower (UNC): Starts with a BHS LOSO, solid. Switch leap to split jump, great height. Piked front toss to beat jump, really fluid connection. Ends with round off 1.5, small hop backwards on the landing. Another really great routine for Knower and the Tar Heels! 9.850.
Copperwheat (PITT): Opens with front tuck step out to double pike, small step forward on the landing, a little under rotated. Ends with a double tuck, but unfortunately over rotates to her back, just didn’t look like she was ready for that landing. 9.050.
Schulze (UNC): Beat jump to split 3/4 with a big bobble on the landing, drops her chest all the way down but saves it. Brings it back in with a solid BHS LOSO series. Switch leap to wolf jump, nice. Aerial 1.5 dismount to end, falls on the dismount, looked a little off to the side on the take off. UNC won’t have to count this score, but besides that mistake, it was a beautiful routine.
Ewing (PITT): A little more pressure on Ewing finishing this rotation after a fall. Round off 1.5 to front layout, solid. Switch half to wolf 1.5, doesn’t quite get the second jump fully around. Round off HUGE double tuck to end with a step forward, but a great way to come back after a low score.
After 3: UNC 147.425, Pitt 147.400
Both teams had a fall this rotation but were able to drop these scores with a solid rotation from the rest of the lineup. This was one of the strongest beam rotations from UNC this year with four scores over a 9.8, highlighted by a 9.850 from Knower. This looked like the confident UNC beam team we have come to know over the past few years, and they should have so much confidence moving into floor which has been a strong event for them throughout the season. Pitt had a great floor rotation as well, with Jah’Liyah Bedminster grabbing the highest score for the Panthers with a 9.9. This Pitt floor team looked strong with great tumbling and fun dance, and needs to hold onto this energy going into their last rotation. Only separated by 0.025 (!!) this is either teams meet!
Rotation 4:
Todd (PITT): Last rotation! Starts with a candle mount, small balance check on full turn. Switch leap to split jump, a little hesitant on connection. Switch half to beat jump, much better. BHS LOSO, very nice. Side aerial, big balance check, drops her chest all the way down. Ends with a tucked front full and a step on the dismount. 9.50.
Wozniak (UNC): Starts with a whip to double tuck, really nice. Switch leap to wolf full wolf full, a little short on the first wolf full, but gets the second around. Ends with a double pike, looked a little low, but no problem on the landing. 9.825 (career high!)
Duke (PITT): A little pressure with a 9.5 to start, but this will be a big test for Duke coming off an exhibition last week. Starts with a BHS LOSO, solid, really nice. Good full turn, side aerial to split jump, good. Switch leap to spilt jump, another good connection. Ends with a round off 1.5 small hop forward but a great routine for Duke and Pitt! 9.80.
Schulze (UNC): Opens with a front lay to front rudi, nice control. Split 1.5, a little questionable getting it all the way around. Second pass back 1.5 to front lay, really nice. Nice routine for her after an uncharacteristic beam routine. 9.875.
Ewing (PITT): Getting back on track for Pitt, Ewing starts with a beautiful side aerial, solid. BHS LOSO, is off the beam after a fight to stay on. Switch to switch half, big bobble, lifts up her foot. Gainer full off the side with a stick. 9.075.
Rueda (UNC): First pass HUGE double pike. SO much height on that first pass. Back 1.5 to front layout, stuck second pass. Ends with a double tuck, doesn’t fall but gets really close, squatting on the landing and taking a few steps to out of bounds. 9.425.
Madso (PITT): BHS LOSO, a little shuffle on the landing but keeps in on. Front tuck, solid. Switch leap to BHS swing down, really nice. Beat jump to ring jump, a little bobble. Gainer full stuck to end! Great way to keep them in pace with UNC! 9.725.
Miller (UNC): Opens with front thru to double tuck, nice. Switch ring to switch half, nice, gets it around. Second pass, double pike, big step forward with her chest down. Switch half with a ring to end the routine. The door is open for both teams as they’re pretty much keeping pace with one another. 9.725.
Garvey (PITT): A great person to be in this position, Garvey starts with a BHS LOSO, solid, nice form on that series. Beautiful front tuck to beat jump, really solid. Split jump to double stag, ring, solid. Ends with Gainer pike of the end STUCK! Pitt needed that routine and Garvey delivered! Wow! 9.85.
Forbes (UNC): Opens with a HUGE full in, lots of power on that pass but great control. Second pass, front lay front full, nice. Torjete 1/2 to straddle full, nice. Last pass double tuck, huge! What a routine for UNC when they needed it! 9.875.
Copperwheat (PITT): Anchoring this rotation for Pitt, Copperwheat is in a big pressure situation. Switch to split, really nice extension. Solid side sumi. BHS LOSO, beautiful. Looks SUPER confident and aggressive in this routine. Side aerial, really nice. Ends with a round off 1.5, small scoot back, but what a way to end this rotation and meet for Pitt! 9.850.
Knower (UNC): Double pike to start, small step forward a little under rotated. Second pass front full to front lay, nice. Torjete 1/2 to straddle full, gets both around. Ends with a double tuck with a step forward, but keeps it on her feet. Another great routine to end it for UNC!
Final: UNC 196.650, Pitt 196.125
A 196 for both teams!! This meet started really strong on the first two events for both teams. UNC and Pitt looked focused on their details on vault and bars to keep the meet extremely close at the half. Beam and floor gave both a little bit of a scare, but neither had to count a fall, and the rest of the lineup proved how strong they are to come back after a fall and deliver. This meet showed the strength of UNC as they put together a full meet and got their first ACC win of the year! This is the UNC team I think we all expected to see out of the gate, and maybe this meet was their turning point to take off for the remainder of the season! Pitt has been consistent in the past few meets totaling another 196, their second highest team score of the year, and they still have so much to give! This was a meet both teams needed for their confidence heading into the back half of the regular season and building their NQS’. What a Friday night matchup! (and its just the beginning of the weekend!)
Event Winners:
VT: Knower (UNC) 9.90
UB: Schaefer (UNC) 9.925
BB: Knower 9.850 (UNC), Garvey, Copperwheat (PITT) 9.850
FX: Knower (UNC) 9.925
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Live blog by Julianna Roland
