Alabama Gymnastics Edged by Nebraska, 197.475-197.175
1/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
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Alabama 197.175 - Nebraska 197.475
Attendance - 1362
LINCOLN, NEB - In a meet that went down to the wire, the No. 5 ranked Alabama Gymnastics team posted its third consecutive 197-plus score of the season but fell to No. 4 ranked Nebraska 197.475-197.175 here in the Devaney Center in front of 1,362 fans.
The Cornhuskers needed a school record vault, floor exercise and all-around performance to extend their nine-year home winning streak, while Alabama proved its consistency, coming within .025 of its score Friday night at Arkansas with a decidedly different lineup.
"We knew that they would be tough to beat in their home arena," Patterson said. "But we wanted the experience of competing at the site of the NCAA Championships and what an experience. It was a great competition."
Alabama was hobbled a bit when junior Lauren Holdefer had a hard landing in warm-ups and was held out of the meet as a precaution and junior All-American Jeana Rice sprained her ankle during her floor routine and was unable to finish her routine or compete on the balance beam.
Rice, the Tide's top all-arounder to this point in the season, was up and walking by the end of the meet and even walked out on the floor exercise mat to accept her first place award for the uneven bars.
"I think this shows that we are developing quality depth for one thing," Patterson said. "Obviously we are a much better team with Jeana in the lineup, but we are also strong enough to carry through when she's not there. We competed in two meets in three days this weekend with two different lineups and scored over 197 both times. I think that says a lot about this team."
The Tide started things off by posting its best uneven bar score of the season, going 49.225 behind Rice's 9.925. Freshmen Dana Pierce and Ashley Miles both added 9.85s on the bars. Rookie Dana Filetti made her Crimson Tide debut, scoring a 9.775 on the bars. On the vault, Alabama posted a 49.200 behind a 9.950 from Rice, which tied her career best mark, and a 9.925 from Miles. Freshman Mari Bayer posted a season high 9.825 on the vault. Nebraska had a 49.525 on the vault and a 49.125 on the uneven bars.
After Rice's fall on the floor exercise, Alabama responded to the challenge reeling off four straight 9.85 scores and a 9.925 to finish off the set.
"For those ladies to go out and compete like that after they saw their teammate fall showed a great deal of mental toughness," Patterson said. "Obviously they were concerned for Jeana, but they were able to focus and go out and finish off the rotation."
Bayer, sophomore Michelle Reeser, Sterner and junior Stephanie Kite all scored 9.85s while the Tide's 49.325 effort was capped by Miles' 9.925. Kite and Sterner's scores tied their season highs. On the balance beam, the Tide posted a 49.425 behind a pair of 9.9s from Bayer and sophomore Shannon Hrozek and a trio of 9.875s from Reeser, Pierce and Sterner. Bayer, Reeser and Hrozek's scores tied their career best efforts. The Huskers posted a 49.3 on the balance beam and a 49.525 on the floor exercise.
"For the third straight meet we have finished off the meet on the balance beam and again gone six-for-six," Patterson said. "And to have Mari score two 9.9s in row on the balance beam is just great."
Alabama will not have to end their next meet on the balance beam. After four meets on the road to open the season, the Tide is finally coming home. Next Friday (Jan. 31) Alabama will face Michigan in Coleman Coliseum at 7 p.m.
"We're so excited to get home and finally compete in front of our fans," Patterson said. "Our freshmen have been pumped up to compete in front of the crowds in Athens and Arkansas and here tonight, but I've told the ladies there is truly no place like home for the Crimson Tide."
It will be Scholastic Achievement Night in Coleman Coliseum and the Crimson Tide will be giving away bobble head dolls of two-time NCAA Champion and current student coach Andre? Pickens to the first 1,000 fans through the doors of the coliseum as well as posters commemorating Picken's hall of fame career. Season and single meet tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) or online at www.rolltide.com.
Alabama Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around
Mari Bayer 9.825 -- 9.900 9.850 --
Dana Filetti -- 9.775 -- -- --
Shannon Hrozek 9.725 9.775 9.900 -- --
Stephanie Kite 9.725 -- 9.725 9.850 --Ashley Miles 9.925 9.850 -- 9.925 --Dana Pierce -- 9.850 9.875 -- --
Michelle Reeser -- -- 9.875 9.850 --
Jeana Rice 9.950 9.925 -- -- --
Kristin Sterner 9.700 9.825 9.875 9.850 39.250
Alabama Totals 49.200 49.225 49.425 49.325 197.175
Nebraska Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around
Tiffany Byrd 9.800 9.850 9.800 9.875 39.325
Jen French -- -- 9.800 -- --
Tami Harris 9.850 9.900 9.850 9.900 39.500
Julie Houck -- 9.900 -- 9.775 --
AJ Lamb 10.000 9.875 9.900 9.975 39.750
Libby Landgraf 9.825 -- -- 9.825 --
Jamie Saas -- -- 9.875 -- --
Richelle Simpson 10.000 9.600 9.875 9.950 39.425
Jess Wertz 9.850 9.050 -- -- --
Nebraska Totals 49.525 49.125 49.300 49.525 197.475
