UNC roundup: Alyssa Ustby records first women’s triple-double, Heels start gymnastics
Most North Carolina fans know about the Tar Heels making a hire at defensive coordinator for football and the men’s basketball team picking up two road wins, but there was plenty more going on.
Here’s what happened in the first week of the new year:
Carolina women’s basketball
Senior Alyssa Ustby became the first player in women’s basketball program history to record a triple-double and the third overall. Ustby contributed 16 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in the team’s, 75-51, win over No. 25 Syracuse on Thursday. She is the first player in women’s basketball history to record at least 15 or more points, 15 or more rebounds and 10 assists against a ranked opponent.
The Heels added a 61-57 victory over then-No. 16 Notre Dame on Sunday in South Bend.
The two wins against top 25 teams put Carolina back in the rankings at No. 20.
UNC announced Sunday that Kayla McPherson will miss the rest of the season. She sustained a knee injury that requires surgery. McPherson appeared in seven games this season before returning to the bench for five games.
Bacot wins ACC Player of the Week
Graduate student Armando Bacot earned ACC Player of the Week on Monday for the second time this season. Bacot recorded consecutive double-doubles in the Heels’ two road wins last week against Pitt and Clemson. He averaged 15 points and 13 rebounds.
His stellar performances helped Carolina start 3-0 in ACC play for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
UNC women’s gymnastics opens season
The Tar Heels opened their season on Friday, hosting Ball State, Rutgers and Utah State in a quad meet.
UNC finished second in the meet with a score of 193.725. It finished ahead of Rutgers (193.400) and Utah State (193.175). Ball State placed first after scoring 194.925.
Junior Julia Knower started the season with a 38.900 in the all-around competition. No other Tar Heels competed in all four events. Junior Lali Dekanoidze added a career-high 9.925 on vault and tied for the meet’s highest individual score.
Tar Heels lacrosse
UNC released its 2024 schedule last week. It features seven home games and seven road games. Two of its road games take place at a neutral site.
The Heels host their home opener against Johns Hopkins on Feb. 24.
The women’s lacrosse team earned a No. 3 ranking in the USA Lacrosse preseason poll last week, as well. UNC finished the 2023 season ranked No. 5 after reaching the ACC Tournament championship and earning a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals.
Baseball earns preseason ranking
Perfect Game ranked UNC baseball No. 14 in its preseason list, one of six ACC teams to earn a preseason nod.
Carolina finished last season, 36-24, and advanced to its sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. It returns 19 letter winners and welcomes 23 new players.
Junior center fielder Vance Honeycutt returns for the Tar Heels after earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season. He was the first Carolina player to earn the award.
