Huskers Hang Tough in Loss to Michigan

The No. 7 Nebraska women’s gymnastics team earned several strong individual performances but were unable to overpower No. 4 Michigan, falling by a score of 197.300-195.875 on Saturday afternoon. 

Returning All-Americans Hollie Blanske and Jessie DeZiel anchored Nebraska’s performance, finishing with key all-around scores. Blanske scored 9.80’s or higher on each event to earn a 39.375 all-around mark. DeZiel notched a 9.90 on vault to place second overall, while adding two 9.80 scores or higher on beam and floor en-route to a 39.275 all-around score.

Nebraska opened the meet on bars securing a team score of 48.90. Blanske led the way for the Huskers putting up a 9.825 mark followed by Jennie Laeng’s 9.80 score. Ashley Lambert tacked on a 9.775 while the duo of Grace Williams and Danielle Breen chipped in identical scores of 9.75.

Michigan posted a 49.30 on vault led by Sugiyama’s 9.95 mark. After one rotation MU led 49.30-48.90.

The No. 1 vault team in the country produced a solid team effort hitting a 49.325 mark. The lineup was fueled by DeZiel’s 9.90 and Moore’s 9.875. The trio of Blanske, Laeng and Lambert also tabbed 9.85 marks to round out the Lineup. 

MU took to bars to notch a 49.20 team score. Brianna Brown led the way with her 9.90 routine. After two rotations Michigan held a slight edge of 98.500-98.225 over the Huskers.

The Huskers moved to floor earning a 49.075 team score led by the duo of Williams and Blanske’s 9.85 marks. DeZiel recorded a 9.825 mark, Lambert a 9.80 while Moore tacked on a 9.75 to round out the lineup. 

The Wolverines picked up a 49.275 on beam led by two 9.875 marks from Casanova and Chiarelli. Heading into the final rotation Michigan led the meet 147.775-147.300.

The Huskers capped the evening on beam battling to a 48.575. The beam lineup was fueled by the two All-Americans of Blanske and DeZiel as they both captured 9.85 marks. Williams and Laeng also snatched identical marks of 9.825, while Jennifer Lauer’s 9.225 was needed for the final count. 

Michigan sealed their victory on floor after delivering a strong 49.525 team score. MU’s Nicole Artz won the all-around crown with a 39.600 mark.

The Huskers will return home to Lincoln, Neb., next Saturday, Feb. 7 to face off against the Iowa Hawkeyes for a Big Ten conference dual. Action from the Bob Devaney sports center will start at 6 p.m. This meet also serves as the annual Pink meet to support breast cancer awareness. Fans will be encouraged to wear pink in support of this cause.

Name	Vault	Bars		Beam		Floor		All-Around
Hollie Blanske	9.85	9.825		9.85		9.85		39.375
Danielle Breen	--	9.75		9.175		--
Jessie DeZiel	9.90	9.70		9.85		9.825		39.275
Jennie Laeng	9.85	9.80		9.825		--
Ashley Lambert	9.85	9.775		--		9.80
Amanda Lauer	---	---		---		---		---
Jennifer Lauer	---	--		9.225		---		---
Ariel Martin	--	---		---		--		---
Madison McConkey	---	--		---		---		---
Kamerin Moore	9.875	--		---		9.75		---
Desire' Stephens	9.825	---		---		9.40		---
Grace Williams	---	9.75		9.825		9.85		---
Team	Vault		Bars		Beam		Floor		Total
Nebraska	49.325		48.90		48.575		49.075		195.875
Michigan	49.30		49.20		49.275		49.525		197.300