Huskers Fall to Gators in Final Dual

LINCOLN, Neb. -- No. 13 Nebraska women's gymnastics fell to No. 5 Florida 197.925 - 196.700 in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday night in its final dual of the season. 

The Huskers slip to 11-3 on the season (5-0 Big Ten) while the Gators improve to 8-2 overall (5-2 SEC). 

Despite posting competitive team scores on vault, bars and floor, the Huskers posted their second-lowest beam score of the season, while Florida posted team scores above 49.325 on every event. 

Rotation One
On bars, the Huskers got out to a great start on bars, counting five scores over 9.825 and two scores over 9.90. Abbie Epperson, Megan Schweihofer and Kynsee Roby each posted scores of 9.825, respectively. Catelyn Orel posted a 9.750. Taylor Houchin posted a 9.90 in the event and Sienna Crouse posted a 9.925 to tie her career high. 

The Huskers posted a team score of 49.300, while Florida hit a 49.325 to inch ahead on vault. Alex McMurtry led Florida on vault with a 9.95.  McMurtry won a share of the vault title and every other event title on the night, marching the Gators into the overall team victory. 

Rotation Two
Nebraska rotated to vault, where freshman Anika Dujakovich posted a 9.75 and Grace Williams scored a 9.70. Epperson, Schweihofer and Houchin each hit a 9.85, respectively. The Huskers were led by Crouse who posted a 9.95 to share the vault event title with Florida's McMurtry. 

As a team, Nebraska scored a 49.250, while Florida ran on bars with a team score of 49.575. McMurtry led the Gators with a 9.975 on bars. 

Rotation Three
On floor, freshman Roby scored a 9.775 while Sierra Hassel posted a 9.225. Epperson and Orel posted a 9.825 each, before Schweihofer and Crouse each posted a 9.90. 

As a team, Nebraska scored 49.225, while Florida scored a 49.575 on beam. McMurtry led the Gators with a 9.975 in the event. 

Rotation Four 
Nebraska closed the meet on beam where it slipped behind Florida. Schweihofer posted a 9.10 in the event, and Crouse posted a 9.35. Houchin and Williams helped the Huskers with a 9.875 each, while freshman Roby had a career-high and standout performance with a 9.90 in the event. Breen led the Huskers overall with a second-place 9.925, a season-high for the senior beam performer. 

The Gators closed the meet on floor where they scored a 49.450. McMurtry helped the Gatord with a 9.925 on floor. Nebraska closed the meet on beam with a team score of 48.925. 

In the all-around, McMurtry won the event with a 39.825. Huskers Crouse and Schweihofer ended with a 39.125 and 38.675, respectively. 

Up next, Nebraska will compete for a Big Ten Championship at the B1G Five Meet in East Lansing, Mich. on Saturday March 17 at 1 p.m. CT. The meet will be available to watch on BTN and BTN2Go.