ACC Gymnastics Week 3 Preview: Conference battles begin

Heading into Week 3, we’ll see all ACC matchups, with NC State traveling down the road to North Carolina on Friday night, and Pitt heading to Clemson for a Sunday afternoon showdown.

The last time rivals NC State and North Carolina faced off at the 2023 EAGL Championships, there was less than one-tenth between their final scores. In the second ACC dual of the weekend, the Panthers face the No. 19 Tigers, who posted the highest team score of any ACC team in their program debut last week.

Read on for more on these two matchups.

NC State @ North Carolina

Week 3 Matchup: Friday, January 19 @ 7:30 p.m. ET | North Carolina State @ North Carolina | Video: ACC Network Extra on Watch ESPN app

On Friday, the Wolfpack will be heading to Chapel Hill for an in-state ACC matchup against the Tar Heels. This marks the first conference matchup of the season, and you can watch the “ACC-tion” on ACC Network Extra through the Watch ESPN app. 

For the Wolfpack, head coach Kim Landrus wants the team to focus on the process and the journey: “If we do ‘us,’ then all of our goals for conference championships and NCAA regionals will happen.”

Tar Heels head coach Danna Durante has her team focused on the details: “Our word last week was ‘Finish,’ and the team did a good job on finishing each and every detail. This week our word is ‘Build,’ so finding between a half-tenth to one full tenth in improvements per routine to build on Week 2’s performance.”

Durante adds, “We’re thrilled for our first official ACC competition and excited to host our in-state rival because it always makes for an electric environment!”

This matchup is likely to be close, with NC State’s average being 194.950 and North Carolina’s being 194.438.

Routines to Watch:

• Isabelle Schaefer (UNC) posted a 9.925 on bars last week to claim ACC Specialist of the Week.
• Lali Dekanoidze (UNC) posted a 9.9 on bars .
• Chloe Negrete (NC State) posted two 9.9s on vault and floor and a 9.9 on beam the week before. She has gone 9.9+ on all of these routines, so keep your eye on Negrete’s 3 events. 
• Ashley Knight (NC State) posted a 9.875 on her front handspring pike half on vault and could secure a big score this week if she sticks.

History: 

• At the 2023 EAGL Championships, the Wolfpack came second (196.425) and the Tar Heels finished third (196.350). 
• In February 2023, the Wolfpack won at home against the Tar Heels (196.275-195.975).
• In January 2023, the Tar Heels won at home against the Wolfpack  (196.325-195.525).

Pitt @ #19 Clemson

Week 3 Matchup: Sunday, January 21 @ 4 p.m. ET | Pittsburgh @ Clemson | Video: ACC Network

The Pittsburgh Panthers will be heading to No. 19 Clemson on Sunday, January 21 to face the Tigers for their first ACC matchup of the season. You won’t want to miss this meet streamed on the ACC Network. 

 “We knew this was going to be a competitive conference right away, so it’s going to be really cool to see how things play out,” Pitt head coach Casey Jo MacPherson stated. “And it forces you to be at your best week in and week out.”

For newcomer Clemson, head coach Amy Smith is full steam ahead: “We’ve had a chip on our shoulder this whole time that’s been fueling our fire,” she said. “This is only the beginning, and I’m excited to see where we’re at in April.”

Although they’ve never faced each other before (seeing as Clemson is a new program), the Tigers have the definite edge. Pitt is averaging a 193.413 while Clemson has a single (but impressive) score of 196.325.

Routines to Watch:

• Lilly Lippeatt (Clemson) claimed ACC Newcomer of the Week last week after posting a 9.9 in her collegiate debut on bars.
• Brie Clark (Clemson) notched a 9.9 on floor with a high-energy routine.
• Lauren Rutherford (Clemson) posted a 9.825 on her Yurchenko 1.5 vault last week, which could result in a big score if she sticks this weekend. 
• Molly Arnold (Clemson) had a big routine on floor with a full-in, posting a 9.875. 
• Emily Todd (Pitt) posted a career high 9.9 on bars. 
• Jay’Liyah Bedminster (Pitt) claimed ACC Gymnast of the Week after posting a 9.8 on both vault and bars and a 9.85 on floor.