Alabama
LSU
No. 4 Alabama Gymnastics Opens Home Schedule with No. 1 LSU Friday
1/12/2017 3:21:00 PM | Gymnastics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 4 ranked Alabama gymnastics team opens its 2017 home schedule this Friday at 7:30 p.m. against No. 1 LSU in Coleman Coliseum.
"We are so excited to be home in front of the best fans in the nation," UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. "There is nothing like an Alabama gymnastics Friday night in Coleman Coliseum, the atmosphere is electric."
Friday marks the second meet in a row that Alabama has faced the nation's top-ranked team after opening the season at then No. 1 Oklahoma on Jan. 6. The Tigers opened their season last Friday with a 197.825 against Georgia while Alabama posted a 196.700 on the road in Norman.
"You want to compete against the best to see where you stand," Duckworth said. "It can be a great measuring stick to go 'where do we need to get better?' But I also feel that you can't focus on anybody else when you're in competition. We will be in our 'Bama bubble' and focus on what we do great. If we do what we're great at, the outcome, the results will take care of themselves."
In addition to facing the nation's No. 1 team in back-to-back weeks, Alabama will also face the defending NCAA Champion (Oklahoma) and the 2016 NCAA runner-up (LSU) within an eight-day span.
Alabama is led by junior Kiana Winston, who posted the highest balance beam score in the nation last week with a 9.95. She also scored a career-best 39.500 in the all-around against the Sooners, which ranks sixth nationally this week.
The Tigers, coached by D-D Breaux in her 40th season at LSU, are led by junior Myia Hambrick and senior Ashleigh Gnat, who are second and fifth, respectively, in the national all-around rankings.
In addition to being its home opener, Friday is also the Tide's Bama Salute meet, honoring the nation's military. For Alabama gymnastics, that not only means family, friends and fans who have served, but also senior Mary Lillian Sanders, who has completed officer candidate school and will commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps following graduation in May. All active and retired military will receive free admission to the meet with ID and their families will receive $3 admission.
The Crimson Tide is introducing a new aspect to its legendary meet intro, which will get underway at 7:15 p.m. This season fans are encouraged to download the Alabama Lights app to their smart phones and have them out and ready when the lights go out for the introductions.
"We're so excited to add this aspect of fan-involvement into our high energy introductions," Duckworth said. "I can't wait for everyone to see it and be a part of it this Friday."
Tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262), located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum, and online at RollTide.com.
For all the latest information on Alabama gymnastics, follow BamaGymnastics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and head coach Dana Duckworth on Twitter and Instagram at @UACoachDana.
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