GYMNASTICS SWEEPS THE INDIVIDUAL TITLES, SCORES 193.375 IN WIN OVER SEAWOLVES

3/2/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Freshman Alycia Chan, junior Amber Basgall and senior Melissa Genovese each won event titles and sophomore Eryn Stubblefield finished first in the all-around to help lead the Sacramento State gymnastics team to a 193.375-191.625 victory over Alaska Anchorage, Sunday afternoon at the Hornets Nest. Chan finished first on vault, Basgall won on bars, Genovese had the top score on beam and Chan and Genovese tied for first on floor.

The 33rd-ranked Hornets improved to 5-4 on the season while the Seawolves fell to 3-9. Sacramento State was also able to improve its Regional Qualifying Score by dropping a 191.975 in place of today’s score. The team now has an RQS of 192.415.

Sacramento State trailed following the first rotation after scoring 47.425 on vault compared to the Seawolves’ 48.025 on bars. The Hornets were led by Chan who scored 9.750 to win for the fifth time this season. Stubblefield tied for third on vault with a 9.650. Alaska Anchorage was paced on bars by Jessica Portlock, who scored 9.725 to place fifth on bars.

Sacramento State took its first lead following the second rotation. The Hornets scored 48.825 and counted five scores of at least 9.675. Senior Alyssa Onaga opened the rotation with a 9.600 and was followed by a 9.675 from Stubblefield. Freshman Amanda Blauvelt then recorded a 9.800 to finish second overall in her first competitive routine of the season. The back half of the order saw Lauren Dyson record a 9.750, Basgall tally a meet best 9.825 and Alexis Tsurumoto score 9.775. Those three scores all ranked in the top four.

The Seawolves kept thing close with a 47.975 on vault. The team received a 9.725 from Jessica Portlock and a 9.700 from Leah Wilson, which placed second and third, respectively.

The Hornets continued their momentum in the third rotation by recording three of the top four individual scores on beam. Genovese claimed the top spot with 9.900 while Stubblefield placed second with a 9.825. As a team, Sacramento State scored 48.350 on the event while Alaska Anchorage scored 47.375 on floor. The Seawolves were led by freshman Kelsey Fullerton who placed fourth with a 9.775.

Sacramento State closed out the meet with a 48.775 on floor. Sophomore Amanda Bieber began the rotation with a career best 9.725 and was followed by a career-best tying 9.800 from Basgall, who placed third overall. After a 9.550 from Nicole Giao, Chan bettered her previous best with a 9.850. That score was matched by Genovese to end the rotation.

Alaska Anchorage also concluded the meet with a strong showing on beam. The Seawolves scored 48.250 and counted five scores of at least 9.650. Leah Wilson scored 9.775 to place third and was the highest finisher on the team.

Sacramento State will host its final meet of the regular season on Friday, March 7, when it takes on UC Davis, Cal and Seattle Pacific at 7 p.m. The meet will also serve as senior night and the team will honor its five seniors following the contest.

NOTES: Sacramento State has now had a gymnast win or tie for the win on beam in all nine meets this season…junior Marina Borisova did not compete due to illness…Borisova had competed in the all-around in 27 straight meets before Sunday…Genovese also had her all-around streak snapped at 23 meets when she did not compete on bars…freshman Kaitie Kinser made her season debut on vault…Sacramento State has now recorded 28 consecutive wins over Alaska Anchorage.