GYMNASTICS FINISHES SIXTH AT NCAA WEST REGIONAL

4/14/2007

BERKELEY, Calif. — The Sacramento State gymnastics team concluded its 2007 season by placing sixth at the NCAA West Regional at Haas Pavilion on Saturday. The Hornets scored 191.725 while No. 7 Utah finished first at 197.175.  Sixth-ranked Nebraska joined the Utes as the two teams to advance to the NCAA Championships by placing second with a score of 196.675. Missouri (194.300), Cal (193.900) and Washington (193.300) placed third through fifth, respectively.

Sacramento State opened the meet on floor and scored 47.850. That score placed the team third following the first rotation. The Hornets showed their youth, opening with three straight freshmen in the lineup. Amanda Bieber scored 9.125, Lissa Zamolo followed with a 9.225 and Eryn Stubblefield recorded a 9.525 in their first regional action. The back half of the lineup featured junior Nicole Giao (9.650), junior Melissa Genovese (9.625) and sophomore Marina Borisova (9.775).

The team shifted to vault for its second rotation and was much more consistent. Genovese nearly tied her career high of 9.650 with a 9.625 to start things off. Bieber added a 9.550 before Stubblefield scored 9.625, Giao then scored 9.700 which led the team and was followed by a 9.500 from Sara Williams. Borisova capped the lineup with a 9.625. As a team, the Hornets scored 48.125 in the event.

Following a bye, Sacramento State moved to bars. The Hornets opened with consecutive 9.600s from Stubblefield and senior Sara Williams. Freshman Lauren Dyson added a 9.700 prior to a 9,675 from Genovese. Things took a bad turn during the fifth routine as Borisova collapsed out of a handstand and fell off to the side of the bars. After regrouping, she finished her routine but scored just 8.600. Junior Alexis Tsurumoto rallied back for the team, scoring 9.775 to tie for 13th and helping the team to a 48.350 event score.

After setting the school record in its last two meets on beam, the event was not as kind to Sacramento State at regionals. The Hornets had two falls and a wobble resulting in a score of 47.400. Borisova and Genovese were able to post two strong scores at the end, however. Borisova’s bars injury nearly kept her out of the lineup but the sophomore chose to compete and scored 9.675. Genovese followed with a 9.825 to tie for sixth overall.

Genovese was the team’s top all-arounder, scoring 38.750 in the four events to rank 13th overall. Stubblefield scored 38.350 and Borisova concluded with a 37.675.

Utah took the top three spots in the all-around. The Utes were led by Ashley Postell who scored 39.675.