Third-ranked Florida returns to the Tar Heel state for the second time this season to battle North Carolina at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, NC, on Friday, January 20, at 7 PM ET. FloGymnastics will be LIVE-streaming the meet, so make sure to tune in for all the action.

The host Tar Heels are looking to rebound after a shaky opener this past Saturday, when they finished in third place at the Lindsey Ferris Invitational in Washington, D.C., against George Washington, Cornell and Penn. Tallying an overall score of 192.300, UNC entered its first competition this year with a freshman-laden roster and all 11 of the Tar Heels' newcomers saw action in the meet.

The visiting Gators, meanwhile, are coming off a 197.60-196.95 win over No. 14 Kentucky in their home and Southeastern Conference opener at Exactech Arena last Friday.

Florida was able to fend off Kentucky's highest score in school history thanks to a number of impressive performances. Gators junior Rachel Slocum won vault with a score of 9.95, which is the second-highest debut score in UF history behind Alex McMurtry's 10 in her freshman year. McMurtry won uneven bars with a 9.95, taking the title two weeks in a row.

The Gators totaled their third-highest home opener score despite missing head coach Jenny Rowland for much of the week. Rowland, who is also a Category 3 International Brevet level judge, was away from the team since Tuesday at a mandatory seminar in Indianapolis and assistant coaches Adrian Burde and Owen Field took over her coaching roles leading up to the meet. Rowland arrived to the competition floor during the balance beam rotation, which saw UF sophomore Alicia Boren win the event for the second time this season with a score of 9.925 and junior Grace McLaughlin notch a career high with a 9.850.

Florida junior Kennedy Baker, UK freshman Mollie Korth and Kentucky sophomore Sidney Dukes tied for first on floor with a 9.925. Scoring all-around for the second time this season, Baker tied Korth tied for the all-around title with a score of 39.575. Gators freshman Amelia Hundley also competed in all-around with a score of 39.50.

Pre-meet interviews with the Gators:

Kennedy Baker talks about competing in the last two meets and winning the all-around titles:


Coach Jenny Rowland talks about her absence last week and what she is looking forward to this season:


Rachel Slocum talks about being a Florida Gator and what it is like to have a unique vault:


Rachel Gowey talks about her transition from elite to college gymnastics:


Watch the duel between UNC and Florida LIVE on FloGymnastics on Friday night!


Related:
Weekend Watch Guide On FloGymnastics: Jan. 20-21

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