Huskers Drop Home Opener to Utah

Lincoln, Neb. - The ninth-ranked Nebraska women's gymnastics team fell to No. 4 Utah 196.20-194.75 Saturday night at the Devaney Center. Nebraska hit a 49.00 or better on vault. 

"We had a great week of practice, but it just didn't work out tonight," Head Coach Dan Kendig said. "We won't go back to the drawing board, we just need to learn from tonight's mistakes and not make them the next time we come out."

Nebraska took the top two spots on vault, as senior Erin Davis took first with a season-high 9.925. The performance marked the first time Davis competed for the Huskers this season. Freshman Jamie Schleppenabch hit a career-high-tying 9.875 on the event to tie for first. Junior Lora Evenstad captured the floor title, hitting a season-high 9.90.

The Huskers opened the meet with their most impressive showing on vault, where Davis notched a 9.925 for first-place. Schleppenbach posted a 9.875, while Evenstad and Giblin both hit a 9.85. Senior Maddie Steinauer scored a 9.825 as NU finished with a season-high event score of 49.325, ahead of Utah's first-rotation bars total of 49.15.

The Huskers moved to bars as sophomore Janelle Giblin and senior Brittnee Habbib both scored a 9.85 each. Giblin tied her career high score while Habbib tied her season high mark. Senior Maria Scaffidi posted a season-high 9.825, while freshman Emily Wong notched a 9.80. Sophomore Brittany Skinner rounded out the rotation with a 9.625. NU wrapped up the event with a score of 48.95 and a running score of 98.275 to lead Utah (98.25) at the halfway point of the meet.

Nebraska continued on to the third rotation on beam, where Wong led the way with a 9.80 for third in the event. Habbib hit a 9.775 and Steinauer posted a 9.75. Giblin received a 9.20 and Schleppenbach scored a 9.075. NU wrapped up beam with a 47.60 and a running score of 145.875 to the Utes' 147.25 heading into the final event.

NU capped the evening on floor, with Evenstad taking the event crown with a mark of 9.90. Schleppenbach hit a 9.80 and Wong posted a 9.775. Davis added a 9.725, while Scaffidi received a mark of 9.675. NU finished with an event score of 48.875 and a final team total of 194.75 to fall to Utah, which totaled a 196.20 on the night

"I'd like to come in tomorrow and do it again," Kendig said. "We have some work to do, we just need to get more consistent and confident."

The Huskers return hit the road next weekend for the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. Nebraska will compete with Missouri, LSU and Alabama on Sat., Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m.

Name	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	All-Around
Deanna Barmore	---	---	---	---	---
Erin Davis	9.925	---	---	9.725	---
Lora Evenstad	9.85	9.425	---	9.90	---
Janelle Giblin	9.85	9.85	9.20	---	---
Brittnee Habbib	---	9.85	9.775	---	---
Kassandra Nathe	---	---	---	---	---
Kaitlin Reid	---	---	---	---	---
Maria Scaffidi	---	9.825	---	9.675	---
Jamie Schleppenbach	9.875	---	9.075	9.80	---
Brittany Skinner	9.80	9.625	8.40	---	---
Maddie Steinauer	9.825	---	9.75	9.175	---
Emily Wong	---	9.80	9.80	9.775	---

 

Team	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	Total
Nebraska	49.325	48.95	47.60	48.80	194.75
Utah	49.10	49.15	48.95	49.00	196.20