Sports - The Daily Tar Heel

UNC first-year forward Ally Sentnor (21) steals the ball during the women's soccer game against NC State on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at Dorrance Field. UNC beat NC State 2-0.

Preview: UNC women's soccer prepares for third matchup against Florida State in College Cup semifinal

By Gwen Peace | Nov. 30

North Carolina’s third matchup against Florida State may prove to be one of the toughest, and most telling, games the team will play, and will serve to define the season as a whole. In order to emerge victorious and have a chance at inching one step closer to claiming the program's first national title in 10 years, UNC will have to dig deep and play with the principles that have taken the team to this point.

UNC red-shirt first-year, Drake Maye (10), gets sacked Kenan Stadium on Nov. 25, 2022, as the Tar Heels face off against the N.C. State Wolfpack. UNC lost 30-27.

Preview: UNC football prepares for Clemson in ACC Championship Game

By Noah Monroe | Nov. 30

North Carolina must reignite the explosive offense that showed up in matchups against App State and Wake Forest, as well as protect Maye if they hope to penetrate the Tigers' front seven.

UNC junior guard Deja Kelly (25) drives toward the basket during the women's basketball game against TCU on Nov. 12, 2022, in Carmichael Arena. UNC beat TCU 75-48.

UNC women's basketball uses strong play to climb to No. 6 in AP Poll

By Jarrett Kidd | Nov. 30

The Tar Heels have been statistically stout to this point, outscoring their opponents by an average of 25.5 points per game. At the Phil Knight Invitational, the team faced some of the top competition in the country and recorded come-from-behind wins against Oregon and Iowa State, who were both ranked in the top 25.

UNC graduate forward Pete Nance (32) boxes out a Gardner-Webb player during the men's basketball game against Gardner-Webb at the Dean Smith Center on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. UNC beat Gardner-Webb 72-66.

Despite preseason No. 1 ranking, UNC men's basketball off to slow start this season

By Lindsey Ware | Nov. 30

Following a run to the national championship game in April, the North Carolina men's basketball team has had trouble living up to its billing as the preseason No. 1 team so far this season.

The UNC field hockey team celebrates their victory after the NCAA Field Hockey Championship game against Northwestern in Storrs, Conn. on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. UNC beat Northwestern 2-1.

Year in review: UNC women's lacrosse, field hockey, women's tennis and Ultimate Frisbee win national titles

By Sydney Beyer | Nov. 30

Throughout the course of 2022, several North Carolina athletic programs reached the pinnacle of their respective sports by capturing national championships.

UNC fencer Jack Kambeseles pictured at the ACC Championship at Carmichael Arena on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Photo Courtesy of UNC Athletic Communications.

Fencing for dummies: UNC fencing team breaks down rules for beginners

By Kelly Baker | Nov. 29

Fencers use three different weapons, each having a different blade, set of rules and target. The ultimate goal across weapons is to score a touch, which is called by a referee.

UNC junior point guard Deja Kelly (25) attempts a layup in the women's basketball game against Iowa State at the Phill Knight Invitational in Portland, Ore. on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. UNC beat Iowa State 73-64. Photo Courtesy of UNC Athletic Communications.

26-point swing defines No. 8 UNC women's basketball's comeback win over No. 5 Iowa State

By Shelby Swanson | Nov. 28

After two straight come-from-behind victories against JMU and Oregon, UNC pulled off another comeback win on Sunday. The Tar Heels won the Phil Knight Invitational, 73-64, to hand the Cyclones their first loss of the season.

UNC junior guard Caleb Love (2) guards the ball during the men's basketball game against UNCW ain the Dean Smith Center on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

Despite back-to-back losses, UNC men's basketball leaves Phil Knight Invitational with their heads up

By Lucas Thomae | Nov. 27

After a four-overtime loss to No. 18 Alabama, the North Carolina men's basketball team slunk back to the locker room physically and emotionally exhausted. When head coach Hubert Davis walked in, he told his players to pick their heads up. The Tar Heels seemed to leave it all on the court in Sunday's grueling matchup.

UNC redshirt first-year guard/forward Teonni Key (13) dribbles the ball down the court during the women's basketball game against Iowa State at the Phill Knight Invitational in Portland, Ore. on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. UNC beat Iowa State 73-64. Photo Courtesy of UNC Athletic Communications.

No. 8 UNC women's basketball earns 73-64 win over No. 5 Iowa State in Phil Knight Invitational Championship

By Jarrett Kidd | Nov. 27

The No. 8 North Carolina women’s basketball team (6-0) picked up its second ranked win of the season over the No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones (5-1) with a final score of 73-64 to win the Phil Knight Invitational.

UNC junior guard Caleb Love (2) prepares to make a free throw during the exhibition game against JCSU at the Dean Smith Center on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. UNC beat JCSU 101-40.

UNC men's basketball loses to No. 18 Alabama, 103-101, in four-overtime thriller

By Lucas Thomae | Nov. 27

This could have been anyone's game, but UNC leaves the Phil Knight Invitational disappointed after losing back-to-back games against lesser-ranked opponents.

UNC sophomore Mabrey Shaffmaster (9) celebrates after scoring in the second set of the volleyball game against Boston College on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. UNC won 3-0.

Shaffmaster's 12 kills lead UNC volleyball to sweep of Virginia on Senior Day

By Noah Monroe | Nov. 27

“All my teammates were super supportive of the seniors, and we were playing together, playing for us,” senior middle hitter Skyy Howard said. “I wanted to go out and have a good game because all my family was here, and I just wanted to show out in my last game (at Carmichael).”

UNC women's head basketball coach Courtney Banghart celebrates at the beginning of a timeout at the game against Miami on Feb. 6, 2022 in Carmichael Arena. The Heels won 85-38.

Preview: Keys to No. 8 UNC women's basketball's matchup against No. 5 Iowa State

By Shelby Swanson | Nov. 27

If the Tar Heels hope to clinch the Phil Knight Invitational Championship and remain undefeated, UNC will have to play with a greater sense of urgency, push the pace and prepare for the star power of Ashley Joens and Stephanie Soares.

UNC All-American swimmer Grace Countie off to hot start in final season

By Abrial Poole | Nov. 26

“I feel like each year I'm here I somehow progress in my training or my strength and I wanted to see what else I could accomplish this year,” Countie said.

UNC redshirt first-year Ally Sentnor (21) protects the ball during the women's soccer game against Georgia on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at Dorrance Field. UNC beat Georgia 3-1.

UNC women's soccer knocks off top-seeded Notre Dame, 2-0, advances to the College Cup

By Lucas Thomae | Nov. 26

After last season's disappointment, in which UNC lost in the first round of the tournament for the first time in program history, the Tar Heels return to the College Cup with an opportunity to win their first national title since 2012.

UNC senior middle hitter Skyy Howard (8) wins a point off of a hit in the second set of the volleyball match against Louisville on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. UNC fell 3-0 to Louisville.

UNC volleyball sweeps Virginia in regular season finale, awaits postseason fate

By Cooper Metts | Nov. 26

The Tar Heels await the results of the NCAA Tournament selection process to determine if their matchup with the Cavaliers was their last of the season or if they’ll play in the postseason.

UNC red-shirt first-year, Drake Maye (10), throws a pass in Kenan Stadium on Nov. 25, 2022, as the Tar Heels face off against the NC State Wolfpack.

Drake Maye, UNC football rattled again at home in rivalry game against N.C. State

By Daniel Wei | Nov. 26

For the second year in a row, the Tar Heels narrowly lost to the Wolfpack, and for the second consecutive week, they lost in Kenan Stadium to a backup quarterback.

UNC senior wide receiver, Antoine Green (3), looks for the ball in Kenan Stadium on Nov. 25, 2022, as the Tar Heels face off against the NC State Wolfpack. UNC lost 30-27 in overtime.

Column: UNC football's loss against N.C. State reinforces a harsh reality

By Evan Rogers | Nov. 26

Friday night’s loss against N.C. State reinforced the harsh reality for North Carolina — when the spotlight flips on, the Tar Heels tend to falter.

UNC junior guard Caleb Love (2) protects the ball from JCSU junior guard Cartier Jernigan (12) during the exhibition game against JCSU at the Dean Smith Center on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. UNC beat JCSU 101-40.

Iowa State's Caleb Grill cooks Tar Heels' defense in UNC's first loss of the season

By Shelby Swanson | Nov. 26

"He (Grill) played out of his mind," UNC junior guard Caleb Love said. "Credit to him. We definitely have to be better on the defensive end, all around."

UNC junior guard Caleb Love (2) shoots a free throw during the men's basketball game against Gardner-Webb on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at the Dean Smith Center. UNC beat Gardner-Webb 72-66.

Late-game implosion dooms UNC men's basketball against Iowa State, 70-65

By Lucas Thomae | Nov. 25

UNC will play the loser of the UConn-Alabama matchup in the third-place game, with is set to tip off at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

UNC senior wide receiver, Antoine Green (3), drives the ball downfield in Kenan Stadium on Nov. 25, 2022, as the Tar Heels face off against the NC State Wolfpack.

UNC football drops season finale in 30-27 double-overtime loss to N.C. State

By Daniel Wei | Nov. 25

The No. 17 North Carolina football team (9-3, 6-2 ACC) fell to N.C. State (8-4, 3-4 ACC), 30-27, in double overtime of the final game of its regular season on Friday evening at Kenan Stadium.