Saturday, November 2
Durham, NC
North Carolina
at
Duke
Women’s Fencing Takes Down Duke In Season Opener
November 2, 2024 | Fencing
DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina women's fencing squad picked up its first win of the season, while the men's squad fell in a close duel 15-12, resulting in a split season opener against Duke on Saturday.
Women's Team
After sweeping the first round of epee, the women's team jumped out to a 6-3 after the first full rotation of weapons – sabre, epee and foil.
"From the start, they were ready to go. They did a great job all day," said Head Coach Matt Jednak.
Duke battled back, tying the duel at 12 before the final round, women's epee swept the final three bouts to win 15-12.
Women's epee highlighted the many successes of the women's squad.
Nicole Milewski followed up her tournament win last weekend with three more wins SMU Diving Invitational. Mia Smotritsky clinched the fourteenth point in a 5-1 bout. Anna Temiryaev put a bow on the rivalry match by capping off the second sweep of the day. The epee squad went 8-1 overall.
Men's Team
On Saturday, the men's team battled with Duke but fell 15-12 on Saturday. The back-and-forth duel was highlighted by the saber squad posting a 6-3 record. Junior saberist Nicky Wind earned a perfect record on the day going 3-0.
"Men's Saber was a real shot in the arm in that first round," said Jednak. "The team rallied behind that and kept going."
The epee team improved as it bounced back from its 0-3 start to pick up four wins, with Eli Lippman bringing home two 5-1 victories.
Carolina heads to Philadelphia for the Elite Invitational Nov. 16-17 before the holiday break.
Women's Team
After sweeping the first round of epee, the women's team jumped out to a 6-3 after the first full rotation of weapons – sabre, epee and foil.
"From the start, they were ready to go. They did a great job all day," said Head Coach Matt Jednak.
Duke battled back, tying the duel at 12 before the final round, women's epee swept the final three bouts to win 15-12.
Women's epee highlighted the many successes of the women's squad.
Nicole Milewski followed up her tournament win last weekend with three more wins SMU Diving Invitational. Mia Smotritsky clinched the fourteenth point in a 5-1 bout. Anna Temiryaev put a bow on the rivalry match by capping off the second sweep of the day. The epee squad went 8-1 overall.
Men's Team
On Saturday, the men's team battled with Duke but fell 15-12 on Saturday. The back-and-forth duel was highlighted by the saber squad posting a 6-3 record. Junior saberist Nicky Wind earned a perfect record on the day going 3-0.
"Men's Saber was a real shot in the arm in that first round," said Jednak. "The team rallied behind that and kept going."
The epee team improved as it bounced back from its 0-3 start to pick up four wins, with Eli Lippman bringing home two 5-1 victories.
In the Rankings
Duke opened the United States Fencing Coaches Association preseason ranking as the No. 6 women's team and the No. 10 men's squad in the country.
Carolina heads to Philadelphia for the Elite Invitational Nov. 16-17 before the holiday break.
Players Mentioned
Epee/Right Hand
/ Fencing
Epee
/ Fencing
Epee
/ Fencing
Epee/Right Hand
/ Fencing
Sabre
/ FencingCarolina Insider - Interview with Henri Veesaar (Full Segment) - September 8, 2025
Monday, September 08
UNC Field Hockey: Carolina Holds Off Princeton, 3-2
Sunday, September 07
UNC Women's Soccer: Tar Heels Shut Out JMU, 3-0
Sunday, September 07
UNC Volleyball: Tar Heels Sweep Oral Roberts
Sunday, September 07