No. 4 Huskers Fall to Fifth-Ranked 'Bama

Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- The fourth-ranked Nebraska women's gymnastics team fell to No. 5 Alabama 196.925-196.100 in front of a crowd of 9,559 at Coleman Coliseum Saturday night. Despite posting a season-high score on vault, the Huskers weren't able to overcome a surging Alabama squad that posted its highest score of the season.

The Huskers put together some impressive routines, but it was the finishing touches that made the difference, Head Coach Dan Kendig said.

"We did some good things tonight," Kendig said. "The difference was a lot of little things. The tight legs, the balance wobbles, the pointed toes - nothing earth shattering, but it was the little things that hurt us. Those are the things we can get in the gym and fix."

The Huskers started off strong on the uneven bars, led by junior Julie Houk. A two-time All-American on the event, Houk posted a 9.875 to finish second overall. The event also marked the return of junior Jess Wertz, who had missed the Huskers first four meets with an ankle injury. Wertz was the Huskers' final competitor on the event and posted a 9.75.

Despite the Huskers' strong showing on vault, Alabama stretched its lead to 0.55 points after two events thanks to a strong showing on the uneven bars, as the Tide took four of the top five places. Sophomore Libby Landgraf posted the highest score of any Husker on vault to finish third overall, as the Colorado Springs, Colo., native tied her career high with a 9.85. In addition, three Huskers posted scores of 9.80 to help NU to its second highest vault score of the season (49.00), trailing only the 49.15 they scored against Georgia in the season opener.

With Alabama on the balance beam and Nebraska on floor exercise, the Huskers chipped away at the Tide lead, narrowing it to 0.175 points, the smallest margin of the evening. The Huskers received strong performances from several gymnasts, including Landgraf, who posted a season-high 9.875. The Tide had struggled on beam all season, counting falls in each of the last two meets, but despite a few wobbles, they posted a season-high score of 48.825.

Heading into the final rotation, the Huskers had their work cut out for them, but after Alabama's first competitor fell on a tumbling pass, it looked like the opening Nebraska needed. Nebraska's first competitor hit and Nebraska seemed well on its way to cutting into the Tides' lead, but it wasn't to be, as Alabama's final four competitors posted scores of 9.90 or better, including a meet-high 9.975 from Kristin Sterner, to close the door on any Husker comeback hopes. However NU did receive strong performances from several competitors on the beam, including freshman Jamie Saas, who rebounded from a fall in an exhibition routine on floor to post a career-high 9.825, which tied with teammates A.J. Lamb and Richelle Simpson for third place.

"I'm really proud of Jamie and how she was able to hit the way she did," Kendig said. "It really gave us a big boost."

The Huskers will take a week off before heading to Raleigh, N.C. for the Sweetheart Invitational on Feb. 15.