GYMNASTICS OVERCOMES ROUGH START IN WIN OVER SEATTLE PACIFIC
2/9/2008
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State gymnastics teams swept the individual titles on all four events and the all-around en route to a 191.975-185.200 victory over Seattle Pacific, Friday night at the Hornets Nest. Alycia Chan finished first on vault, Marina Borisova won bars, floor and the all-around, and Melissa Genovese and Lizzy Norvell tied for first on beam to complete the sweep by the Hornets.
With the win, Sacramento State evened its record at 3-3 on the season. The Falcons dropped to 1-5.
Despite the large margin of victory, it was not easy going for the Hornets as a team. The squad struggled during the first three rotations, scoring no more than 47.925 on vault, bars and beam. However, that all changed during the final rotation where Sacramento State scored a season high 48.775 on floor.
Amber Basgall got things started with a season-best 9.700 and was immediately followed by a 9.675 from Nicole Giao. The routine was the first for Giao this season due to an injury which has kept her out of the event. The back half of the order added some additional support with a 9.725 from Eryn Stubblefield, a 9.800 from Genovese and a 9.875 from Borisova. All three scores were season bests for the trio.
“I was happy to see how be bounced back on floor,” head coach Kim Hughes said. “Tami (Ross) put in a hard assignment on Tuesday that really challenged the team and they responded. Tonight showed that they can to it. Also, getting an experienced senior like Nicole back in the lineup was huge.”
Sacramento State began the meet on vault and was paced by Chan who finished first for the third time this year and the second consecutive meet. The Langley, British Columbia, native scored 9.625 and was followed by Genovese and Stubblefield who each scored 9.500 to tie for second.
The Hornets also swept the top three spots on bars with a season high 9.875 from Borisova, a season best 9.725 from Lauren Dyson and a 9.625 from Stubblefield which tied her season high.
Sacramento State had three falls on beam but received strong scores from the three gymnasts who stayed up. Norvell posted her fourth straight score of at least 9.675 with a 9.750 and was met atop the standings by Genovese — who claimed a share of first place for the third time in five meets this season. Chan took third place with a 9.625.
Seattle Pacific’s top individual finisher was Briana Steigauf who tied for third on floor with a 9.725.
Sacramento State will next be in action on Friday, Feb. 15, when it hosts Southern Utah in the annual “Think Pink Meet” at 7 p.m. The meet is designed to help promote breast cancer awareness and all proceeds will be donated to Mercy Hospital.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
