SAN JOSE, Calif. — Sacramento State gymnasts claimed at least a share of the top score in all four events as well as the all-around to help the Hornets to a 194.900-193.400 victory at San Jose State on Friday night. The team received outright victories from Kalliah McCartney in the all-around and on beam. Cassie Benning finished first on floor and tied for the top spot on bars and Julia Konner tied for first on vault.
"This team is so confident and is enjoying what they are doing ," Sacramento State head coach Randy Solorio said. "They are having fun but know what the expectations are."
The Hornets started the night on bars with a 9.725 from Courteney Ng, a 9.550 from Alyssa Anderson and a 9.750 from Caitlin Soliwoda. A fall slowed the team's momentum and was trailed by a 9.750 from McCartney. Benning then ended the rotation with a 9.775 which matched SJSU's Allison Bellingham for the top score in the event. The share of the win was the second in Benning's career on bars. Her score also helped provide the team a one-tenth lead following the first rotation.
Sacramento State was able to gain a little more separation in the second rotation with a team score of 48.500 on vault compared to SJSU's mark of 48.425 on bars. The team had a high of just 9.475 through its first two vaults before freshman Lauren Schmeiss recorded a 9.775. Konner followed with a 9.825, Soliwoda added a 9.625 and McCartney completed the rotation with a 9.800. Overall, Konner tied Erica Matos for first place in the event. McCartney was third and Schmeiss finished fourth.
A week after scoring 48.975 on floor at the NorCal Classic, the team improved its effort with a 49.075. Schmeiss opened the scoring barrage with a 9.800 which raised her average to 9.775 in two collegiate meets. McCartney competed on floor for the first time this year and posted a 9.875 to help the team get off to a quick start. After a fall, the back half of the lineup responded with a 9.750 from Jesse Williams and Jennifer Brenner before Benning scored a career high 9.900 to record her fourth career victory on floor. Along with the individual win, McCartney finished second and Schmeiss was third.
Sacramento State closed the meet on beam where the team had the top four individual scores as well as a tie for fifth place. The team totaled 48.975 to put the meet out of reach Alyssa Anderson opened the rotation with a 9.725 which tied her for fifth overall. Konner posted a 9.800 to finish third before Benning scored 9.825 which moved her into second place. Rice received a 9.775 to finish fourth. McCartney closed the meet with a 9.850 for her eighth career victory on beam and her first since 2014.
McCartney also found her way back to the top of the all-around for the first time in two seasons with a total of 39.075. The victory was the 12th over her stellar career. For the second consecutive meet, the Hornets had to pull one of their all-arounders from the lineup. Tonight, Lauren Rice was removed from floor as a precaution following a fall on bars.
The team will next compete at Seattle Pacific on Friday, Jan. 22, before making its home debut against UC Davis on Jan. 29.
NOTES: With two wins over SJSU this season, the Hornets lead the all-time series in the Div. I era (46-44-1)…Sacramento State has never had consecutive meets of 194-plus to start a season in school history before this year…Williams performed an exhibition on bars for the first time since 2014…the team was without the services of freshman Jackie Sampson, sophomores Megan Kyle and Courtney Soliwoda, and junior Emily Bolton due to injuries.
TEAM SCORES
1. Sacramento State 194.900
2. San Jose State 193.400
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (winner plus Sacramento State)
VAULT: T1. Julia Konner, SAC; Erica Matos, SJSU, 9.825; 3. Kalliah McCartney 9.800; 4. Lauren Schmiess 9.775; 8. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.625; 9. Lauren Rice 9.475; T10. Jennifer Brenner 9.300.
BARS: T1. Cassie Benning, SAC; Allison Bellingham, SJSU, 9.775; T3. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.750; 5. Courteney Ng 9.725; T9. Kalliah McCartney, Alyssa Anderson 9.550; 11. Lauren Rice 9.200.
BEAM: 1. Kalliah McCartney, SAC, 9.850; 2. Cassie Benning 9.825; 3. Julia Konner 9.800; 4. Lauren Rice 9.775; T5. Alyssa Anderson 9.725; 11. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.100.
FLOOR: 1. Cassie Benning, SAC, 9.900; 2. Kalliah McCartney 9.875; 3. Lauren Schmeiss 9.800; T4. Jennifer Brenner, Jesse Williams 9.750; 12. Julia Konner 9.025.
ALL-AROUND: 1. Kalliah McCartney, SAC, 39.075.
