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Articles by Mayah Lodhi
Rodolfo Vazquez Montaño’s tenacity defines his UNC career
As a kid growing up in La Paz, Mexico, Rodolfo Vázquez Montaño was never far from the water. The Sea of Cortez stretches beyond the edge of the city, where the ocean was less of a destination than a backdrop to everyday life. Now he meets the water from a different angle: the edge of a diving board in Chapel Hill. Rodolfo is in his final season as a member of North Carolina’s swimming and diving team. But getting here required much more than adjusting to a new training schedule.
No. 24 UNC volleyball downs N.C. State, 3-1, for first ACC win
The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-3, 1-0 ACC) defeated the N.C. State Wolfpack (9-3, 0-1 ACC) in four sets Friday night in Reynolds Coliseum, opening ACC play with a win. Despite the momentum swings and pressure that came with opening ACC play against their rivals a few miles over, the Tar Heels found a way to reset and deliver a strong finish. “The energy in here is super loud.
No. 11 UNC field hockey defeated by No. 9 Virginia, 2-1, despite late push
No. 11 North Carolina field hockey (3-4, 0-1 ACC) fell to the No. 9 Virginia Cavaliers (5-2, 1-1 ACC) Sunday afternoon at Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill. Coming off a tough overtime loss to No. 20 Old Dominion at home last week, the Tar Heels looked to bounce back against their first ACC opponent of the season. The Cavaliers opened with a strong offensive presence, taking advantage of early chances and landed a quick score to start off the period.
A look at UNC football's quarterback competition
Sports UNC quarterback Travis Burgess (3) throws a pass at the Bill Koman Practice Complex during practice on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Jun 29, 2026, 9:04 PM As the UNC football program tries to find its footing under head coach Bill Belichick, questions surround its recently revamped quarterback room. Former starter Gio Lopez transferred to Wake Forest after a difficult single season in Chapel Hill.
Three takeaways from UNC football's spring press conference
Sports UNC offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino speaks to the press at the Kenan Football Center on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Apr 23, 2026, 10:28 PM After a tough year, North Carolina football is back in transition. This time with a new offensive coordinator, reshuffled roster and head coach Bill Belichick still building his first full program from scratch. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino's spring practice press conference offered a window into where the team's identity is starting to take shape.
No. 6 UNC baseball falls to Clemson, 9-5, in game one on the road
Sports UNC baseball players meet on the pitcher's mound during the game against UVA at Boshamer Stadium on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Apr 11, 2026, 1:27 AM No. 6 North Carolina baseball (28-6-1, 11-5 ACC) falls to Clemson (23-12, 5-8 ACC) on Friday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in the series opener.
UNC softball takes down N.C. State, 9-6, in opening game of series
RALEIGH — The No. 8 North Carolina softball team (25-9, 5-7 ACC) won its opening game, 9-6, of the series against the No. 10 N.C. State Wolfpack (21-14, 3-5 ACC) on Thursday night. In the first inning, senior outfielder Lexie Roberts scored off a hit from graduate infielder Shelby Barbee and UNC was first on the scoreboard. With bases loaded, junior outfielder Sanaa Thompson scored in the third inning after Barbee advanced to first base after being hit by a pitch.
No. 6 UNC baseball walks off Campbell, 5-4, in 14 innings
Sports UNC junior infielder Erik Paulsen (44) gets a rival player out on first base during the game against Campbell on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Apr 1, 2026, 5:00 AM No. 6 UNC Baseball (25-4-1, 9-3 ACC) outlasted Campbell (18-10, 11-1 CAA), 5-4, in 14 innings Tuesday evening in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heel bullpen held the Camels scoreless over the last 10 innings, snapping their 9-game win streak and avoiding the mid-week upset.
UNC softball pushes past Liberty, 11-6, on the road
News UNC softball players celebrate after a home run during the game against Stetson at Anderson Softball Stadium on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Apr 1, 2026, 1:13 AM The North Carolina softball team (25-9, 5-7 ACC) dominated Liberty University (16-18, 9-3 CUSA), 11-6, on Tuesday evening at Kamphuis Field. The Tar Heels struck first in the opening inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from graduate infielder Shelby Barbee to jump out to a 3–0 lead.
UNC softball drops game two to Cal, 6-5, evening the series
Sports UNC junior infielder Emily LeGette (9) runs the bases during the game against Stetson at Anderson Softball Stadium on Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2026. UNC won 12-4. Mar 15, 2026, 12:01 AM The North Carolina softball team (20–4, 4–4 ACC) rallied late but fell short in a 6-5 loss to California (10-18, 1-4 ACC) Saturday afternoon at Levine-Fricke Field.
No. 3 UNC women's tennis handles Boston College, 4-0, Sunday afternoon
Sports UNC first-year Anna Frey prepares for a serve during the women’s tennis match against Virginia at the Chewning Tennis Center on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Feb 22, 2026, 8:00 PM The No. 3 North Carolina (12-1, 2-0 ACC) women’s tennis team defeated Boston College (6-3, 0-1 ACC), 4–0, on Sunday afternoon at Chewning Tennis Center to remain unbeaten at home and extend its all‑time 21-0 series lead over the Eagles.
No. 3 UNC men’s lacrosse takes down No. 13 Johns Hopkins, 17-9
Sports UNC redshirt junior Dominic Pietramala (77) shoots the ball during the game against Johns Hopkins University at Dorrance Field on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Feb 21, 2026, 12:11 AM No. 3 North Carolina passed its first ranked test of the 2026 season Friday evening, defeating No. 13 Johns Hopkins, 17–9, at Dorrance Field. With the win, the Tar Heels improved to 4–0 for the second straight season and earned their 27th all-time win over the Blue Jays, tying the historic series.
UNC softball downs Radford, 6-0, for first 9-0 start since 2012
Sports UNC junior outfielder Sanaa Thompson (19) celebrates after a hit during the game against Coastal Carolina at Anderson Softball Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. UNC won 8-2. Feb 19, 2026, 1:17 AM The North Carolina Softball team (9-0) defeated the Radford Highlanders (2-3), 6-0, at Anderson Softball Stadium Wednesday evening. This win marks the team’s first 9-0 start since 2012. North Carolina took control early, jumping out to a lead in the opening inning.
Veteran transfers ease UNC men's tennis to 7-0 sweep over Furman
Sports UNC junior Constantinos Djakouris high-fives first-year Nick Mangiapane between sets during the men’s tennis match against Boston College in the first round of the ACC tournament at Cary Tennis Park on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. UNC won 4-0. Feb 8, 2026, 6:29 PM As junior Niels Ratiu closed out his singles match, North Carolina had already established control across the lineup. The UNC men’s tennis team had secured the doubles point, and singles wins were stacking up quickly.
Oby Kajuru's early season success highlights veteran leadership for UNC women's tennis
Sports UNC graduate student Oby Kajuru hits the ball during a singles match against NC State at Cary Tennis Park on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Feb 2, 2026, 11:16 PM Graduate transfer Oby Kajuru has only been competing at UNC for a few weeks, but she has already cemented herself at the center of North Carolina's early success and has been one of the best competitors in the ACC.
No. 3 UNC women's tennis takes down Charlotte, 4-0, in ITA Kickoff Weekend regional final
Sports UNC sophomore Susanna Maltby high-fives graduate student Oby Kajuru during the women’s tennis match against Virginia at the Chewning Tennis Center on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Jan 24, 2026, 5:54 PM The No. 3 North Carolina women’s tennis team defeated Charlotte, 4-0, on Saturday in the Chapel Hill regional final of ITA Kickoff Weekend at the Chewning Tennis Center.
No. 12 UNC men's basketball falls to SMU, 97-83, for first conference loss of season
Sports UNC head coach Hubert Davis yells to his team during the game against FSU at the Dean E. Smith Center on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Jan 3, 2026, 9:28 PM The No. 12 UNC men’s basketball team (13-2, 1-1 ACC) fell to SMU (12-2, 1-0 ACC), 97-83, on Saturday afternoon at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas.
No. 11 UNC women's basketball falls, 79-64, to No. 2 Texas in ACC/SEC Challenge
Sports UNC first-year guard Nyla Brooks (7) dribbles the ball at the women’s basketball game against Elon at Carmichael Arena on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Dec 5, 2025, 2:17 AM No. 11 UNC women’s basketball (8-2) fell to undefeated No. 2 Texas (9-0), 79-64, in the ACC/SEC Women’s Challenge on Thursday night in Austin, Texas.
Column: This patchwork quilt of a team just might embody “Carolina Basketball”
Opinion Editorial Board Member Dec 1, 2025, 1:40 AM The jumbotron in the Dean E. Smith Center can’t help but make me miss the glory days. Highlights of championship-winning teams flash on the big screens, captivating fans before the starting lineup is announced.
No. 11 UNC women’s basketball beats Fairfield, 82-68
Sports Nov 16, 2025, 1:14 AM No. 11 North Carolina women’s basketball (3-1) defeated Fairfield (3-1), 82-68, on Saturday night in Las Vegas, earning a bounce-back victory in the first-ever meeting between the two programs and closing out the WBCA Challenge after falling to No. 3 UCLA on Thursday. North Carolina opened with an early layup made by senior forward Nyla Harris, but the Tar Heels struggled to sustain momentum in the first quarter.
No. 25 UNC men's basketball beats No. 19 Kansas, 87-74, for first time since 2002
Sports Assistant Sports Editor Nov 8, 2025, 2:07 AM No. 25 UNC men's basketball (2-0) beat No. 19 Kansas (1-1), 87-74, on Friday evening in the Jayhawks' first trip to Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels turned it on in the second half, shooting almost 70 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range. First-year forward Caleb Wilson rose above the Kansas defender under the rim and slammed home a put-back dunk after junior guard Kyan Evans missed a 3-pointer from the top of the arc.
Hampton's composure, career-high anchors No. 21 UNC volleyball in win over No. 7 SMU
Sports Nov 6, 2025, 1:23 AM Safi Hampton wasn't worried. Fifth set. Tied at 13. UNC's first top-10 win in nearly a decade on the line. The junior outside hitter stayed composed, and so did the Tar Heels. In No. 21 UNC volleyball's 3-2 win over No. 7 SMU on Friday night in Carmichael Arena, Hampton tied her career-high with 22 kills, including the go-ahead point in the dramatic fifth set.
No. 21 UNC volleyball defeats SMU, 3-2, in bounce-back game
The No. 21 North Carolina volleyball team (17–3, 10–1 ACC) overcame SMU (16–5, 8–3 ACC), 3–2, at Carmichael Arena on Friday night, improving the Tar Heels to 25–6 all-time on Halloween. The Tar Heels dominated the first set, riding a run of clean kills and capitalizing on the Mustangs’ five attack errors to take a 25–19 win.
Column: Why it's time to consider moving on from Hubert Davis
Sports Sports Editor Oct 28, 2025, 10:51 PM Hubert Davis is on the hot seat — and he should be. His tenure as the UNC men’s basketball coach has been up and down. Bad years have been followed by good, and good years have been followed by bad. After narrowly making the tournament last season, finishing with a 23-14 record and fifth in the ACC, the pressure is on. Despite signing a contract extension, Davis has to deliver in his fifth year at the helm of the program.
Preview: UNC women's basketball's schedule features three teams in last year's Final Four
Sports Oct 28, 2025, 10:42 PM Despite falling to Duke 47-38 in the Sweet Sixteen, the North Carolina women’s basketball team had a 29-8 overall record, its best since the 2012-2013 season. Ranked the preseason No. 11, the Tar Heels have a revamped roster that includes familiar faces, valuable transfers and the No. 5 recruiting class. They enter a schedule filled with national title contenders, designed to expose weaknesses early and shape tournament toughness for March. On Oct.
Preview: UNC men's basketball's 2025-26 schedule sees easier non-conference slate
Sports Oct 28, 2025, 10:41 PM The North Carolina men’s basketball team enters the 2025–26 season looking to rebound from a disappointing previous year despite earning an NCAA tournament berth. Last year, head coach Hubert Davis' squad had one of the most demanding schedules in the country, with the non-conference slate featuring seven teams that made the NCAA tournament. UNC’s non-conference slate is home-heavy, which should help the revamped roster find rhythm before ACC play.
Jarin Stevenson took the long way to UNC basketball, now he's ready to make a difference
Sports Assistant Sports Editor Oct 28, 2025, 10:40 PM When Jarin Stevenson reclassified and committed to Alabama in June 2023, there was a pervasive reaction of confusion and even anger. The Chapel Hill native had been sitting on an offer from head coach Hubert Davis for almost two years. Alabama’s had arrived just one month before he committed. UNC’s 2024 class already had two five stars — Stevenson’s former teammate Drake Powell alongside Ian Jackson.
No. 23 UNC women's soccer beats Syracuse, 4-2, at Dorrance Field
The No. 23 North Carolina women's soccer team (11-6-0, 5-4 ACC) defeated Syracuse (5-9-4, 1-8-1 ACC), 4-2, at Dorrance Field Sunday afternoon. The Tar Heels dominated in the first half of the match, capitalizing on their offensive rhythm and disciplined back line to earn their eleventh win this season. Sophomore midfielder Linda Ullmark opened the scoring in the 16th minute.
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