Connect with us

North Carolina

‘The moment got ahead of us’: No. 3 Duke women’s tennis drops regular-season finale at No. 1 North Carolina

Published

on

‘The moment got ahead of us’: No. 3 Duke women’s tennis drops regular-season finale at No. 1 North Carolina


CHAPEL HILL—The Blue Devils knew it was going to be an uphill climb Friday as they confronted off towards No. 1 North Carolina inside Cone-Kenfield Tennis Middle. Whereas that climb proved to be too steep and No. 3 Duke fell 4-1 to snap an 11-match profitable streak, they confirmed promise to shut the common season with the potential for a rematch in subsequent week’s ACC match ultimate.

“It’s the primary time all yr that I felt just like the second acquired forward of us,” head coach Jamie Ashworth mentioned after the loss. “The very best factor we will do is be taught from it. The very best factor about our sport is, hopefully, we have now one other alternative subsequent week. I believe we’ve realized what we will’t do and we’ve acquired to go on the market and play how we’re succesful.”

The Blue Devils (22-3, 11-2 within the ACC) dropped the doubles level Friday for the primary time since their Feb. 26 loss at Virginia. The duo of Chloe Beck and Cameron Morra, now 15-2, misplaced 6-1 on the highest line after scoring just one level within the first two video games.

“We performed too defensive,” Ashworth mentioned. “We play our greatest doubles once we’re those controlling the tempo. They only acquired on prime of us, particularly on courtroom one.”

Advertisement

The battle for doubles got here right down to Emma Jackson and Karolina Berankova’s match towards Reese Brantmeier and Reilly Tran on courtroom two. Neither aspect was capable of set up a lead via the primary six video games, with the Blue Devils trailing 3-2 when the match was moved indoors as a result of rain. 

Within the third sport, Duke led 40-15 earlier than North Carolina head coach Brian Kalbas disputed a serve name that shortly concerned each head coaches and the referee. After the purpose was granted to the Tar Heels, the Blue Devils went on to lose the sport at deuce and the match 6-3.

“Doubles is simply so fast and each level issues. When one thing comes up, no matter it’s, we simply worth each single level,” Ashworth mentioned concerning the dispute. “You don’t win or lose a match from one name, however the worth of every level is so large, we simply need to struggle and do no matter we will.”

Whereas the match started outdoor, it was shortly moved indoors throughout doubles play. With a big Tar Heel crowd contained in the packed enviornment versus unfold out outdoors, the change in ambiance proved an element. 

“That acquired to us just a little bit too. It introduced the group extra into it. It turned just a little bit louder, however it’s a fantastic ambiance to play,” Ashworth mentioned. “We’ve acquired to have the ability to be harder than we have now been. Hopefully subsequent week, we get one other shot and may play them and get outdoors.”

Advertisement

Regardless of the 4-1 rating, the Blue Devils had glimmers of hope and resistance. Drummy offered the one level for Duke as she defeated Abbey Forbes 6-1, 6-0, and Beck led Fiona Crawley 5-3 within the second set. The Blue Devils may have the prospect to capitalize on these openings subsequent weekend within the ACC match.

“There’s so many robust groups within the convention, whoever we play on Friday [in the ACC tournament] will probably be a tricky match. We’ve acquired to get on the market and simply keep true to who we’re,” Ashworth mentioned. “We play our greatest once we’re bodily and we’re emotional. We simply acquired to ensure we try this.”

On courtroom one, No. 1 Crawley gained the primary set 6-3. However No. 4 Beck shortly established a 3-0 lead within the second set and was in management when the match was suspended. 

“We use the opposite matches for tiebreakers and stuff, however it had no impact on seedings,” Ashworth mentioned on why the singles match was left unfinished.  “With the match subsequent week, neither [team] needed to have anyone damage on the courtroom.”

Advertisement

“Fiona is clearly a fantastic participant,”  he added. “I’d have liked to see that match to completion. Hopefully, we will see that match once more.” 

The prospect of dealing with the undefeated Tar Heels once more on the ACC match in Cary, N.C., doesn’t seem to rattle the Blue Devils, who would look ahead to the chance at a rivalry rematch.

“I don’t suppose I’m going to regulate something. [Crawley is] a kind of gamers that doesn’t give any free factors,” Beck mentioned. “We’re each very related in that we’re going to attempt to run down each single ball. We’re not going to present our opponent something to feed off of. I truthfully love taking part in her as a result of I do know it’s going to be a toe-to-toe match.”

With the No. 2 seed secured for the ACC match, the Blue Devils begin up once more in Friday’s quarterfinals at 12:30 p.m.





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

North Carolina

Transitional shelter assistance extended for Helene victims in western NC, FEMA says

Published

on

Transitional shelter assistance extended for Helene victims in western NC, FEMA says


Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) officials announced on Sunday that they extended transitional sheltering assistance to families in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.

According to FEMA, residents and families receiving hotel lodging while looking for alternative housing will be allowed to stay in hotels until May 25, with hotel check-out on May 26.

“This is a positive development,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said on X. “I pledge to work with the new administration to support displaced North Carolinians and help folks recover.”

The extension comes after reports of people being kicked out of hotels FEMA provided.

Advertisement

“If any survivors still need housing assistance or feel their TSA eligibility ended in error, they should immediately call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362,” FEMA said on Monday.

If you were impacted by this situation and would like to share your experience with WRAL, go to wral.com/reportit.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

North Carolina

Major update in gruesome murder of glamorous North Carolina realtor found dead inside her townhouse

Published

on

Major update in gruesome murder of glamorous North Carolina realtor found dead inside her townhouse


A major breakthrough has developed in the gruesome murder of a glamorous North Carolina realtor who was found ‘wrapped in bloody bedding’ inside her luxury townhouse.

The lifeless body of Charlotte real estate agent Whitney Hurd, 32, was discovered in her upscale South Park home last July after she was reported missing by her family.

She was brutally stabbed to death in the chest, according to an autopsy report released in October.

After six months without an update, police finally have a lead in the case.

Advertisement

Brandon Braxton, 34, a man with a disturbing criminal past, has been named a person of interest, according to a search warrant of his home on unrelated charges.

Braxton is currently behind bars at Mecklenburg County Jail on unrelated charges.

His troubling criminal history includes allegations of misdemeanor larceny, simple assault, injury to real property and indecent exposure. 

It is unclear if he has entered a plea to those charges, and their respective case is still ongoing.

Advertisement

The lifeless body of Charlotte realtor Whitney Hurd, 32, was discovered in her upscale SouthPark townhouse last July after she was reported missing by her family

Brandon Braxton, 34, a man with a disturbing criminal past, has been named a person of interest in the chilling case (July 24, 2024)

Brandon Braxton, 34, a man with a disturbing criminal past, has been named a person of interest in the chilling case (July 24, 2024)

Just last week, while investigators were building their case in Hurd’s murder, Braxton was arrested for allegedly stealing from a woman and punching a man in the face – adding to his lengthy criminal record. 

Lindsey Newsome was running a dog adoption fundraiser at a south Charlotte restaurant when she said she had a terrifying encounter with Braxton.

‘He started talking to me a little bit saying he had been wanting to adopt a dog,’ Newsome told WSOC-TV.

Advertisement

What started as an innocent conversation quickly turned frightening.

‘I was screaming for help. I said, ‘He’s got my money, he’s got my money. Can you help me?” she recalled after Braxton allegedly snatched her bag and fled.

A good Samaritan tackled Braxton near a hotel and held him in a chokehold until police arrived – before getting punched in the face by the suspect.

‘I was just scared. I was in shock,’ Newsome said of the ordeal.

Court records reveal a disturbing pattern of alleged violence that has escalated recently. 

Advertisement
Brandon Braxton's January 2 mug shot
Brandon Braxton's other mug shot from his recent arrest
Brandon Braxton's October 2024 mug shot

Braxton’s violent history has continued to escalate in recent months. Just last week, while investigators were building their case in Hurd’s murder, Braxton was arrested for allegedly stealing from a woman and punching a man in the face – adding to his lengthy criminal record

In the days before the fundraiser incident, Braxton allegedly threw a brick through a man’s window in Ballantyne, punched a man in the face at a gas pump in the same area, and shattered a Harris Teeter window on Providence Road with a rock.

Police documents note Braxton is known for ‘random acts of violence.’

Just months after Hurd’s death, Braxton was arrested again in October – this time for indecent exposure.

Advertisement

Search warrants reveal that investigators discovered ‘clothing, shoes and a knife’ during a search of Braxton’s property.

A subsequent warrant requesting DNA swabs stated there was ‘probable cause that a murder has been committed and that the DNA of Brandon David Braxton… is evidence of that murder.’

Despite mounting evidence, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have not officially named suspects in Hurd’s death.

He is set to remain in custody in the meantime for those unrelated charges.

Hurd, described by friends as a vivacious 32-year-old in Charlotte’s competitive real estate market, vanished without a trace on July 11, 2024. 

Advertisement
Her luxury BMW, which had sparked a citywide search, was recovered a week later under circumstances police have kept quiet

Her luxury BMW, which had sparked a citywide search, was recovered a week later under circumstances police have kept quiet

The desperate search for the beloved realtor came to a tragic end when a private investigator hired by her family made the horrifying discovery.

‘I’m helping the family look for a missing daughter… the body’s here,’ the investigator told 911 operators in a haunting call that would mark the beginning of a six-month investigation.

The young realtor’s body was found ‘wrapped in a pile of bloody bedding’ inside her townhome off Werburgh Street in the exclusive Magnolia Park community.

Her luxury BMW, which had sparked a citywide search, was recovered a week later under circumstances police have kept quiet.

Advertisement

‘It was something we’re not used to happening in this area,’ Carolina Harris, a neighbor who lives just doors away from the crime scene, told WBTV.

Another resident, Tyler Everett, expressed the community’s growing unease.

‘I’m close to that same age so you don’t think of that being a possibility,’ Everett told WBTV.

‘It was devastating for everybody around here and to not know anything is obviously concerning as well.’

Investigators delved into Hurd’s activity on the dating app Hinge, where her mother revealed she ‘was active’ and ‘was talking to several different men’ before her death.

Advertisement
The young realtor's body was found 'wrapped in a pile of bloody bedding' inside her townhouse off Werburgh Street in the exclusive Magnolia Park community

The young realtor’s body was found ‘wrapped in a pile of bloody bedding’ inside her townhouse off Werburgh Street in the exclusive Magnolia Park community 

But it was fingerprint evidence that led authorities to Braxton, court documents show.

‘They were friends since high school and Whitney has always been generous and loving to anyone in need.’

Since the gruesome murder, community members have expressed growing fears.

‘I live only half a mile from where Whitney did and am terrified of going out alone now. I went to high school with her as well and remember her as such a sweet, beautiful person. If anyone who knows her is reading this, I would help organize something for justice and awareness,’ one resident posted.

Advertisement

Her obituary describes Hurd as a vivacious young woman whose life was cut short.

A proud graduate of Providence High School and the University of South Carolina graduating in 2014, Hurd was remembered for her ‘infectious smile and laugh.’

She was a devoted aunt to her nephew Camden and niece Catherine, whom she adored deeply, and a loving member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.

She also cherished her cute mini Bernadoodle, Luna, her obituary states.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

North Carolina

Chance of snow this week more likely east and south in central NC

Published

on

Chance of snow this week more likely east and south in central NC


RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — We’re not even one month into 2025, and there’s already a second chance to see snowfall in central North Carolina.

Most of the week will be rather cold with temperatures in the 30s to 40s.

Spotty showers are likely on Sunday, amounting to 0.10 to 0.20 inches. This is not all that impactful for the region, and it’s too little rainfall to make any big dent in the drought conditions across the Triangle. The chance for any backside mixed in snowflakes Sunday afternoon looks fleeting, but you’re more likely to see it in far eastern portions of the viewing area.

Another chance for precipitation will be on Tuesday night (more snowy) and Thursday into Thursday night (more icy).

Advertisement

Tuesday: There can be a path of 1 to 3 inches of snow in the southern/eastern parts of central NC.

Thursday: There is a risk of some freezing rain at night, more likely in the eastern parts of central NC. Details beyond this are limited.

Click here for latest school closings

MORE COVERAGE



WATCH | First Alert to Winter Special 2024

Advertisement

In this week’s special First Alert to Winter show, the team looks at snow chances, the winter forecast and getting ready for wintry weather.

Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending