Both Tar Heel teams suffered losses in Rounds 4 and 5. The UNC women lost, 21-6, to Yale. The Tar Heels dropped sabre, 6-3, foil, 9-0, and epee, 6-3. They followed that up with another loss to Penn State, 18-9, but not without a 5-4 win in foil. 

On the men's side, UNC fell to Yale, 20-7. They dropped sabre, 5-4, foil, 8-1, and epee, 7-2. They lost to Penn State by the same score, 21-6, with scores of 6-3 in sabre, 9-0 in foil, and 6-3 in epee. 

Despite losses in the two rounds prior, North Carolina finished the competition strong with a win for both the men’s and women’s teams in the final round. The Tar Heel women defeated Haverford 23-4, dominating sabre, foil, and epee with scores of 7-2, 9-0, and 7-2, respectively. The Tar Heel men won sabre, 6-3, foil, 6-3, and epee, 9-0, to finish 21-6 against Haverford. 

Who stood out?

North Carolina’s foil fencers showcased their talent, winning individual matches in team losses, as seen in the Tar Heel men’s foil win against Columbia, 5-4, and the women’s win against Penn State, 5-4. 

When was it decided?

The Tar Heels’ outcome in the competition was decided in Round 4 for the Tar Heel men when they endured their third loss in a row, and in Round 5 for the Tar Heel women when they lost for the third time, leaving no opportunity for redemption. 

Why does it matter?

UNC started its season off with losing records for both the men’s and women’s teams. However, the Tar Heels have time to make improvements before the ACC Championships in February. 

When do they play next?

The Tar Heels return to Pennsylvania for the Philadelphia Invitational on Jan. 19 and 20. 

@savannahhuntt | @DTHSports

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