University of North Carolina Athletics
Sunday, November 15
Phildelphia, Pa.
8:00 a.m.
North Carolina
vs
Elite Invitational
Photo by: DALTON WAINSCOTT
November 13, 2026 | Fencing
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 6/8 North Carolina fencing is set for its first road trip of the season, traveling to Philadelphia, Pa., for this season's Elite Invitational.
The Tar Heels will compete against a tough field of competitors including No. 10 Ohio State, No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 7/3 Harvard, No. 8/5 Duke and host school No. 4/10 Pennsylvania.
The competition will span over both Friday and Saturday at the Ott Center on Pennsylvania's campus with action beginning at 8:00 a.m. each day.
Carolina is coming off a season-opening dual against Duke in which Carolina's men and women's teams fell to the Blue Devils. The men's team was led by Vasko Atanassov, who recorded three sabre victories, while Cristian Porras added two wins in foil. Youssef Shamel and Noah Silvers each contributed two victories in epee. On the women's side, Jana Elbakry, Samantha Maryash and Tatiana Zafft each recorded two wins, while Sarah Mei made her collegiate debut with a pair of foil victories, including a 5-0 shutout.
Elite Invitational Schedule
Day One – Nov. 14
8:30 a.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 10 Ohio State
9:45 a.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 4/10 Pennsylvania
3:30 p.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. 7/3 Harvard
3:30 p.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 1 Notre Dame
Day Two – Nov. 15
8:30 a.m. – BYE
9:45 a.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. Cleveland State
11:00 a.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 5/4 Princeton
12:15 p.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 2 Columbia
The Tar Heels will compete against a tough field of competitors including No. 10 Ohio State, No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 7/3 Harvard, No. 8/5 Duke and host school No. 4/10 Pennsylvania.
The competition will span over both Friday and Saturday at the Ott Center on Pennsylvania's campus with action beginning at 8:00 a.m. each day.
Carolina is coming off a season-opening dual against Duke in which Carolina's men and women's teams fell to the Blue Devils. The men's team was led by Vasko Atanassov, who recorded three sabre victories, while Cristian Porras added two wins in foil. Youssef Shamel and Noah Silvers each contributed two victories in epee. On the women's side, Jana Elbakry, Samantha Maryash and Tatiana Zafft each recorded two wins, while Sarah Mei made her collegiate debut with a pair of foil victories, including a 5-0 shutout.
Elite Invitational Schedule
Day One – Nov. 14
8:30 a.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 10 Ohio State
9:45 a.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 4/10 Pennsylvania
3:30 p.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. 7/3 Harvard
3:30 p.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 1 Notre Dame
Day Two – Nov. 15
8:30 a.m. – BYE
9:45 a.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. Cleveland State
11:00 a.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 5/4 Princeton
12:15 p.m. – No. 6/8 North Carolina vs. No. 2 Columbia
Players Mentioned
Sabre
/ Fencing
Sabre
/ Fencing
Foil
/ Fencing
Foil
/ Fencing
Epee
/ FencingEpee
/ Fencing
Epee
/ FencingSaturday, November 14
Saturday, November 14
Saturday, November 14
Saturday, November 14