LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Sacramento State gymnastics team scored 194.150 — its best score in nearly a month — and finished in third place in a four-team meet hosted by UCLA on Saturday. The No. 9 Bruins finished first with a total of 197.050 to upset No. 7 Nebraska (196.650). Bridgeport was fourth with a total of 192.575.
The Hornets opened the meet on beam and shook off their recent troubles on the event with a 48.250. Junior Alyssa Anderson led the team with a 9.750 and was closely followed by Julia Konner's 9.725. Kayla Wonderly added a 9.625 and the team also counted a 9.600 from Dallas Smith. Cassie Benning and Courtney Soliowoda each received a 9.550.
Sacramento State totaled 48.500 on floor during the second rotation but remained in fourth place at the midway point of the meet. Freshman Lauren Rice matched her career best with a 9.825 to tie for 10th place in the meet and lead the team. Dallas Smith ranked second with a 9.775 and freshman Jennifer Brenner received a 9.725. Anneke Klaver rallied the team from the anchor spot in the lineup, scoring a career best 9.700 and helping the Hornets erase an earlier fall in the rotation.
Sacramento State moved past Bridgeport in the third rotation after scoring 48.675 on vault. Julia Konner paced the team with a 9.825 for her second highest score of the season. Freshman Caitlin Soliwoda contributed a 9.750 marking her fourth consecutive meet with that mark or better. Redshirt freshman Megan Kyle added a 9.725 and Courtney Soliwoda scored a career best 9.700. Rice completed the scorers with a 9.675. The team score on vault was tied for the second best this season by the Hornets, trailing only last week's 48.775 against San Jose State.
On bars, junior Cassie Benning continued her season-long success with a 9.800. Senior Kayla Wonderly scored 9.775 for the second consecutive week and Courtney Soliwoda matched her season best with a 9.750. Rice and Konner scored 9.725 and 9.675, respectively, to give the team a total of 48.725.
Konner competed in the all-around for the first time in her collegiate career and finished with a four-event total of 38.700. UCLA's Samantha Peszek finished first in the all-around with a 39.625.
Sacramento State will compete at UC Davis on Friday, Feb. 27, in a four-team meet which also includes Iowa and Central Michigan.
Team Scores
1. #9 UCLA 197.050
2. #7 Nebraska 196.650
3. Sacramento State 194.150
4. Bridgeport 192.575
Vault
1. Jordan Williams, UCLA, 9.950; T7. Julia Konner 9.825; 15. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.750; 16. Megan Kyle 9.725; T17. Courtney Soliwoda 9.700; T19. Lauren Rice 9.675; 23. Tina Necas 9.625.
Bars
1. Peng-Peng Lee, UCLA, 9.950; T6. Cassie Benning 9.800; T8. Kayla Wonderly 9.775; 11. Courtney Soliwoda 9.750; T12. Lauren Rice 9.725; 15. Julia Konner 9.675; T19. Alyssa Anderson 9.600.
Beam
1. Peng-Peng Lee, UCLA, 9.975; T10. Alyssa Anderson 9.750; T14. Julia Konner 9.725; 18. Kayla Wonderly 9.625; 19. Dallas Smith 9.600; T20. Cassie Benning, Courtney Soliwoda 9.550.
Floor
T1. Ashley Lambert, NEB; Danusia Francis, UCLA, 9.950; 10. Lauren Rice 9.825; T12. Dallas Smith 9.775; 15. Jennifer Brenner 9.725; T16. Anneke Klaver 9.700; 21. Julia Konner 9.475; T23. Cassie Benning 9.025.
All-Around
1. Samantha Peszek, UCLA, 39.625; 6. Julia Konner 38.700.
