GABRIELLE DE ROSA

Sports

Errors help team drop series

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | April 18

Two weeks ago North Carolina baseball coach Mike Fox said it would only be a matter of time before the Tar Heels’ errors would cost them entire games. Maybe Fox should look into a career in fortune telling. Still, after the team committed six errors against Virginia in UNC’s last home series, its 13 errors — a season high — in this weekend’s three-game series with Miami wasn’t a total surprise.

Sports

Volatile defense traps foes

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | March 21

When asked to categorize the North Carolina women’s basketball team’s defense, Coach Sylvia Hatchell smirked and thought for quite some time. “It’s interesting through the years how everybody has called our defense different things,” Hatchell said. The Tar Heels seemed to play a 1-3-1 defense through most of the first half in their rout of Coppin State. At times, they switched to a 2-2-1 defense. But UNC’s trap was also in full effect.

Sports

Confident players get boost on court

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | February 28

DURHAM -- The North Carolina women's basketball team might be taking its own form of injections -- the legal kind, of course. The Tar Heels now sit atop the ACC rankings and hover at the high end of national polls, and UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said it's thanks to a booster shot of confidence and self-esteem.

Sports

UNC crushes Cavs to finish home season 15-0

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | February 25

With less than a minute remaining in the North Carolina women’s basketball game against Virginia on Thursday, senior Kenya McBee stole the ball from a Cavalier immediately following her failed three-point attempt. McBee hammered a pass to junior Tiffany Tucker, who put up the final two points of the No. 8 Tar Heels’ 89-60 victory. They were the 47th and 48th points in Tucker’s career so far; her regular-season play will end Sunday at Duke.

Sports

UNC squeaks past 'Pack

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | February 21

Nikita Bell is the type of player who lives for the intensity of overtime play. Bell capitalized on such an opportunity Sunday, when the No. 8 North Carolina women’s basketball team defeated No. 21 N.C. State 75-72 in overtime. She proved her ability to execute in those down-to-the-wire moments when she caught Leah Metcalf’s missed layup with about five seconds remaining and put up the tying basket that sent the game into the extra frame.

Sports

Tar Heels look to sweep Wolfpack

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | February 18

Nothing could stop Ivory Latta from coming up big for the North Carolina women’s basketball team the last time it met N.C. State at Reynolds Coliseum — not even being knocked around by opponents nearly a foot taller than her. With about five minutes remaining and UNC down by three, Latta’s head served as the basketball when she was knocked to the ground in the paint. But the sophomore guard was a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line and added 18 points to the 77-75 Tar Heel victory on Jan. 14.

Sports

North Carolina routs Hokies

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | February 14

Opposing coaches have been saying it all season long — when the North Carolina women’s basketball team gets a run going, it’s difficult to stop. But for the first 13 minutes of UNC’s 93-67 victory against Virginia Tech on Friday, the Hokies managed to match the No. 8 Tar Heels layup for layup.

Sports

UNC dismantles Deacons

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | January 28

Scores can be deceptive at times, and North Carolina’s 83-61 victory against Wake Forest was a lot more physical and gritty than the 22-point margin would indicate. With 51 seconds left, senior Leah Metcalf took an elbow to the face after the Deacons grabbed a defensive rebound. The Deacs ran the floor, but Metcalf remained face down, shaking from the blow. With no whistle to halt action at the other end of the court, freshman Erlana Larkins left the bench to assist her teammate.

Sports

Little's defense destroys Miami

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | January 18

North Carolina’s Camille Little couldn’t explain the night-and-day difference between her performances against N.C. State and Miami. There wasn’t a particular pep talk or event that helped her turn her game around, but it seemed as though there was a Little look-alike in Reynolds Coliseum on Friday. “To me, I’ve been having a few bad games,” Little said. “I just try to stay positive and work a little harder.”

Sports

UNC routs Bucs to remain undefeated

By GABRIELLE DE ROSA | November 24

Routs such as the one between the No. 5 North Carolina women's basketball team and Charleston Southern are often summed up in one incredulous statistic. Tuesday, UNC dominated the second half by a score of 48-13. The Tar Heels went on to defeat the Buccaneers 88-33 at Carmichael Auditorium. With six minutes to go in the second half, only one starter, senior Nikita Bell, remained on the court. The game gave freshmen LaToya Pringle and Alex Miller a chance to gain playing time.