LSU traveled to Tuscaloosa to take down SEC rival Alabama.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Not fazed by more than 12,000 fans in attendance, the No.1 ranked LSU gymnastics team (2-0, 2-0 SEC) defeated No. 4 Alabama (0-2, 0-1 SEC) 197.575-197.100 for the fourth-straight victory over the Crimson Tide in the regular season Friday night at Coleman Coliseum.
The Tigers now own the first and third highest score in the country in combination with the 197.825 posted in the season opener last weekend. The victory over Alabama marked the first time that the Tigers have won consecutive meets in Tuscaloosa in school history.
First road meet
— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) January 14, 2017
Don't miss the highlights from last night's big win over Alabama! #AllHeart pic.twitter.com/Pg7S34ungg
Senior Ashleigh Gnat posted a perfect score on vault for her seventh total 10.0 score. Gnat is now tied with Lloimincia Hall for the third-most 10.0 scores in school history. Junior Myia Hambrick captured her seventh all-around title and the 20th of her career. Hambrick tied with Kiana Winston for the title with a score of 39.600.
In the meet, LSU posted a vault score of 49.600 and a floor score of 49.525. Both were the highest on the road against an SEC opponent in school history. The 197.575 team score was also the highest for LSU at Alabama ever.
D-D on the Victory Over the Tide
“They held it together and we talked to our team about staying in the purple zone,” head coach D-D Breaux said. “They did everything we asked them to do. We can practice for meets like this, but you don’t really know how they will react to his type of environment. We have to get used to it though because we won’t be at home at the end of the season.”
“Myia is such the person our team looks to,” Breaux added. “She holds everything together and she is so mature in her process. We are extremely proud of what she is able to do.”
Catch DD's interview with @LauraMRutledge following the big win over Alabama. pic.twitter.com/JOWvYKAzoP
— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) January 14, 2017
Tigers Start Slow on Bars
On the first rotation, LSU totaled a score of 49.200 on bars. The Tigers were just .050 behind Alabama who began with a 49.250 on vault. In the fifth spot, sophomore Sarah Finnegan posted a 9.85. Sophomore Lexie Priessman anchored the event with a 9.90.
LSU Vaults for Victory
For the second consecutive week, LSU posted a score of 49.500 or better as the Tigers ended with a 49.600. Four Tigers finished with scores of 9.90 or better with Priessman earning a 9.90 in the second spot. Edney continued her impressive freshman campaign with a 9.90 at the fourth spot and Hambrick followed with a 9.925. Gnat closed out the second rotation with her perfect 10.0 score on vault.
Strong Floor Extends Lead
LSU was able to extend its lead with a 49.525 on floor. Finnegan tied her career high in the event with a 9.90. Hambrick and Gnat totaled scores of 9.95 to capture the event title. In their careers, Gnat has totaled 13 floor titles and Hambrick owns four.
LSU has now posted the No. 1 and No. 3 scores in the country!
— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) January 14, 2017
More: https://t.co/YvKDkZfpok pic.twitter.com/DwOVO1lMNA
Beam Holds Steady for the Win
With a 148.300-147.725 lead heading into the final rotation of beam, the Tigers were able to hold steady with a 49.275 to claim the win over Alabama. Erin Macadaeg and Hambrick started the lineup strong with score of 9.875 and 9.90 respectively. After a fall in the fourth spot, Finnegan was able to regain the momentum with a 9.925 for the event title.
