Women's GymnasticsMarch 16, 2007

No. 5 Huskers Fall to No. 7 LSU

Name: Nebraska at LSU
Start: 2007-03-17T00:00:00.000000Z
Location: Baton Rouge, La.

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Baton Rouge, La. ? The No. 5 Nebraska women’s gymnastics team traveled to No. 7 LSU with a squad at half-strength Friday night, posting a score of 143.75 to LSU’s 197.025 at the PeteMaravichCenter.

The Huskers utilized performances from five gymnasts ? seniors Stephanie Carter and Michele Zabawa, junior Desire’ Sniatynski, sophomore Tricia Woo and freshman Kathryn Howard ? as six NU competitors did not travel with the team on Thursday based on a decision by head coach Dan Kendig.

"We determined it was in the best interest of the individual gymnasts and our team that they should remain in Lincoln to take care of some academic or medical responsibilities over spring break," Kendig said. "We look forward to seeing them back in the lineup for our final home meet next Friday."

Carter had a solid night for NU on three events, claiming third on vault (9.90) and floor (9.875). The All-American from Bryn Athyn, Pa., finished fourth in the all-around standings with a 38.85. Woo also tied for second on beam with a 9.875.

Nebraska opened the meet on bars, where Zabawa posted the team’s top score with a 9.80 for third-place honors. Carter added a score of 9.75 for sixth, and Sniatynski contributed a mark of 8.10 to give NU an event score of 27.65. LSU began the meet with a 49.375 on vault and were led by Ashleigh Clare-Kearney and Nicki Butler, who tied for first on the event with a pair of 9.95s.

The Huskers then moved on to vault, where Carter set the pace with a season-high-tying 9.90 for a third-place finish. Zabawa earned a 9.825 to finish sixth, while Sniatynski notched a 9.725. Woo also scored a 9.625, helping NU finish the rotation with a 39.075 behind LSU’s bars set score of 49.05.

NU continued on to the third rotation on floor, where Carter led the way with a 9.875 to place third, while Sniatynski was close behind in sixth with a 9.825. Woo tallied a 9.775 to finish eighth, and the Huskers wrapped up beam with a 29.475. LSU closed its beam rotation with a 49.025 and were led by Kelly Phelan’s 9.90 to take the event title.

Nebraska capped the evening on beam, where Woo achieved the team’s highest mark with a 9.875 for second-place honors. Howard’s 9.80 left her in third, while Carter contributed a 9.325 and Zabawa and Sniatynski posted matching scores of 9.275. NU finished with an event score of 47.55 and a final team score of 143.75. LSU achieved a 49.425 on floor to total a 197.025 on the night.

LSU's Ashleigh Clare-Kearney took four out of five individual event titles, finishing first in the all-around (39.65), vault (9.95), bars (9.875) and floor (9.95).

“There is no question that we put our team in a tough situation tonight,” Kendig said. “It was tough coming down here without the entire team, and the meet itself was difficult. We had some good routines on every event, but I know it was tough for our gymnasts to stay focused. Luckily this meet will not affect the outcome of our team’s season. We now want to focus on our final home meet next weekend, celebrate our seniors’ accomplishments and send our team off to the postseason in style.”

Nebraska returns to the BobDevaneySportsCenter next Friday, March 23 for its final home meet of the 2007 season with Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the dual meet, NU will honor Husker seniors Stephanie Carter and Michele Zabawa with a post-competition celebration.

Name Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around

Stephanie Carter 9.90 9.75 9.325 9.875 38.85

Kathryn Howard 9.80

Desire’ Sniatynski 9.725 8.10 9.275 9.825 36.925

Kylie Stone

Brittney Williams

Tricia Woo 9.625 9.875 9.775