Alabama
Michigan
No. 4 Alabama Gymnastics Falls at No. 7 Michigan, 196.200-195.675
1/5/2018 6:32:00 PM | Gymnastics
Alabama used seven routines in its competitive lineup from freshmen or a returner who had not competed that event previously
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 4-ranked Alabama gymnastics team opened its 2018 season with a 196.200-195.675 loss on the road at No. 7 Michigan in the Crisler Center Friday.
"Tonight we were tested," UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. "We had some disappointments and some highlights but we will learn from it, grow from it and be retested next week. I believe in this team, they have put in the work and prepared. The disappointment is that we are better than what we demonstrated tonight
"As Maddie Desch and I discussed on our way out of the arena, there is no better way to prepare for a meet than to compete in a meet. I don't always know what we have in front of us, but I know who we have within us."
Individually, senior Kiana Winston won both the uneven bars and balance beam while fellow senior Nickie Guerrero won the vault.
Alabama opened strong on the uneven bars, scoring a 49.150, including a 9.9 from freshman Kylie Dickson in her Crimson Tide debut and a 9.925 from Winston. Senior Jennie Loeb, in her first uneven bars in the Tide's competitive lineup, scored a 9.8.
"For Jennie Loeb to compete in our uneven bars lineup for the first time by stepping in for Mack Brannan who took ill during the trip, and to be successful, was huge for us," Duckworth said. "Ari (Guerra) hitting her bars routine after a fall and Kylie starting her first career bar performance with confidence and a 9.9 and to have Kiana come back from shoulder surgery this summer and hit a 9.925 on bars – all of that was big."
On the vault, Alabama tallied a 49.025 led by a 9.9 from Guerrero and a 9.85 from sophomore Shea Mahoney in her first vault in the Tide's lineup.
"Vault highlights included getting Shea and Lexi (Graber) out there on vault, along with Nickie's 9.9," Duckworth said.
Alabama scored a 48.775 on the floor exercise, led by 9.775s from junior Abby Armbrecht and Winston.
"Floor was not completely a surprise," Duckworth said. "We performed how we trained this week and will only get stronger from here."
Alabama finished off with a 48.725 on the balance beam, led by a 9.850 from freshman Lexi Graber and a 9.9 from Winston.
"Beam was uncharacteristic of what this team can do and how we have prepared all fall and the mental lesson of being in a position to make a comeback and win will be paramount toward our success moving forward."
The Tide opens its home slate next Friday (Jan. 12) at 7:30 p.m. against archrival Georgia. It will mark Alabama's third matchup against the Bulldogs in the span of a week following men's basketball in Athens on Jan. 6, while the football team faces Georgia in the College Football Championship Game in Atlanta on Jan. 8.
"Moving forward we will focus on what we did well, what we need to improve and what we need to work on so nothing holds us back from what we are capable of accomplishing," Duckworth said.
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.
