Natalie Vaculik hugs Georgia head coach Danna Durante after her balance beam routine.
ATHENS, Ga. --- The No. 11 Georgia gymnastics team defeated No. 5 LSU 197.525-196.800 on Saturday afternoon. The Gymdogs did not trail in any of the four rotations as they posted their high total score in front of 9,577 fans at Stegeman Coliseum.
With the win, Georgia improved to 4-3 on the season and 4-1 in the Southeastern Conference. LSU dropped its second meet of the season to move to 7-2 overall (3-1 SEC).
"We talked about gaining momentum and building on the win over Florida last week," Georgia head coach Danna Durante said. "We wanted to put four complete events together where it was just consistent across the board. We were looking for consistent energy, consistent enthusiasm and consistent gymnastics. I think that's what we showed today."
The Gymdogs opened with a 49.425 on vault. Georgia was led by Brandie Jay's 9.925. Gigi Marino and Sydney Snead added a pair of 9.9s, which tied Marino's career high and set a new career high for Snead. LSU posted a 49.200 on bars, giving Georgia a .225 lead after one rotation.
On bars, Brittany Rogers scored a season high 9.95 competing in the anchor spot. Jay received a 9.925, which tied her career high on the event. Snead added a 9.825 as the Gymdogs scored a 49.250. After LSU's 49.275 on vault, Georgia led 98.675-98.475.
The Gymdogs posted three season highs and two career highs en route to a season high 49.425 on beam. Natalie Vaculik started Georgia off with a 9.825 that was followed by a career high 9.9 from Jay. Rogers turned in a 9.925 and Ashlyn Broussard posted a 9.9. The Tigers scored a 49.275 on floor. Georgia maintained the lead, 148.100-147.750.
Georgia cemented its win in the final rotation behind a pair of 9.925s from Mary Beth Box and Jay. Marino added a 9.9 to give the Gymdogs a score of 49.425 on floor. LSU tallied a 49.050 on beam.
"Never rule us out. We are a team that peaks midseason and peaks towards the end of the season," senior Brittany Rogers said. "I think that's perfect because we're not getting burnt out in the beginning of the season. We're taking our time and that is exactly what Georgia is about. We never give up and hard work pays off. This team is so resilient."
Georgia will be back in action next Saturday versus the Oklahoma Sooners at 4 p.m. in Stegeman Coliseum. This meet will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
The Georgia-LSU meet will air on the SEC Network on Monday at 9 p.m.
Team Results
1. Georgia - 197.525 (VT - 49.425, UB - 49.250, BB - 49.425, FX - 49.425)
2. LSU - 196.800 (VT - 49.275, UB - 49.200, BB - 49.050, FX - 49.275)
Vault
Ashlyn Broussard - 9.825, Natalie Vaculik - 9.7, Gigi Marino - 9.9, Sydney Snead - 9.9, Brittany Rogers - 9.875, Brandie Jay - 9.925
Bars
Natalie Vaculik - 9.775, Gracie Cherrey - 9.775, Sydney Snead - 9.825, Rachel Schick - 9.75,Brandie Jay - 9.925, Brittany Rogers - 9.95
Beam
Natalie Vaculik - 9.825, Brandie Jay - 9.9, Brittany Rogers - 9.925, Vivi Babalis - 9.875, Ashlyn Broussard - 9.9, Mary Beth Box - 9.775
Floor
Sydney Snead - 9.7, Vivi Babalis - 9.8, Brittany Rogers - 9.875, Gigi Marino - 9.9, Mary Beth Box - 9.925, Brandie Jay - 9.925
