North Carolina and Western Michigan at N.C. State

Recap

The Big Storyline: N.C. State and North Carolina even out the series between the two teams with the Wolfpack taking the win here after a steady four event performance and the Tar Heels winning the first matchup.

Implications: All three teams were looking at this meet as an opportunity to get a 196 for NQS, but only N.C. State was able to come away with the result despite the Tar Heels getting incredibly close. North Carolina did, however, manage to get its highest road score of the season so far.

Controversies: Shepard did seemingly a great beam routine, and then the judges found start value discrepancies. The score started from a 9.9 for a 9.7 overall and was later raised after an inquiry to a 10.0 start value and 9.8 overall.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 27 North Carolina, No. 41 Western Michigan at No. 23 N.C. State

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: Even though it’s only Week 5, this is already the second meeting between the top two teams in the EAGL, who are both coming off of three consecutive 196-pluses. Western Michigan will join the rivalry meet in search of its first 196 of the season after finishing incredibly close to the mark over the last two weeks. 

Need More Proof? Chloe Negrete for the Wolfpack and Julia Knower for the Tar Heels have been on fire the past couple of weeks and will be a big part of both teams’ success this week. Look out for Negrete on beam where she has gone 9.900 the past two weeks, as well as Knower on floor where she went 9.950. Payton Murphy has been leading the Broncos’ charge this season, notching 9.875 or higher on three events and tying her own program all-around record. Ronni Binstock has similarly played a key role, returning from absence last season as a major floor contributor and a steady leadoff on vault and beam.