SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State gymnastics team started strong and rallied late to secure a 194.250-193.100 victory over UC Davis on Friday at The Nest. The score marked the ninth consecutive meet the team has surpassed 194 and helped the team earn 2.5 points in the Causeway Cup.
Sacramento State jumped to a big lead during the first rotation, scoring 48.875 on vault compared to a 46.450 from UC Davis on bars. The Hornets opened with back-to-back 9.725s from Megan Kyle and Lauren Rice. The back half of the order built on the score with a career-high tying 9.775 from freshman Lauren Schmeiss. Julia Konner followed with a 9.875 to tie her career best and finish first in the event for the second time this season and fifth time in her career. Kalliah McCartney completed the rotation with a 9.775.
The Hornets saw their lead nearly disappear during the second rotation after enduring falls during their first three routines. The final three members of the lineup were able to get things back in order and help the team rally for a 47.825. UC Davis scored 48.875 on vault to cut the Sacramento State lead to 96.700-95.325.
Individually, McCartney finished first with a 9.850 to set her season high. Cassie Benning was second at 9.825 and Rice was third at 9.800.
Sacramento State again had to work out of hole during the third rotation as the team had a fall on beam during the first routine. From there, Konner scored 9.650 and Benning added a 9.675. Rice posted a 9.725 and was followed by a 9.550 from Soliwoda. McCartney closed out the rotation with a 9.825 to give the team a total of 48.425.
The Aggies continued to pull closer with a 48.975 on floor. The team was anchored by Yasmine Yektaparast and Stephanie Stamates who each scored 9.875. That effort trimmed the Hornets' advantage to 145.125-144.300 heading into the final rotation.
With five scores of at least 9.775 or better the Hornets totaled 49.125 on floor to pull away for the victory. The score is tied for the eight best in school history and is the highest since facing UCD last season on Jan. 23. Rice led the way for the Hornets with a 9.875 to match her career best. Her score placed her in a three-way tie for first and was her second first-place finish in the event this season. McCartney and Jesse Williams each scored 9.850 to tie for fourth place and Benning and Konner added 9.775s to tie for sixth.
McCartney earned her third all-around title in as many meets with a four-event total of 39.300. The score is tied for the eight best in school history and was the fifth time the senior has scored at least 39.300 during her career and the first since 2013. Rice was second in the all-around at 39.125.
Sacramento State will return home next Friday when it welcomes Seattle Pacific at 7 p.m.
TEAM SCORES
1. Sacramento State 194.250
2. UC Davis 193.100
VAULT
1. Julia Konner, SAC, 9.875; T4. Lauren Schmeiss, Kalliah McCartney 9.775; T8. Megan Kyle, Lauren Rice 9.725; 12. Jennifer Brenner 9.500.
BARS
1. Kalliah McCartney, SAC, 9.850; 2. Cassie Benning 9.825; 3. Lauren Rice 9.800; 7. Jackie Sampson 9.275; 8. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.075; 10. Courteney Ng 8.875.
BEAM
1. Stephanie Stamates, UCD, 9.875; 3. Kalliah McCartney 9.825; 5. Lauren Rice 9.725; 6. Cassie Benning 9.675; T7. Julia Konner 9.650; 10. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.550; 11. Alyssa Anderson 9.125.
FLOOR
T1. Lauren Rice, SAC, Yasmine Yektaparast, Stephanie Stamates, UCD, 9.875; T4. Kalliah McCartney, Jesse Williams 9.850; T6. Cassie Benning, Julia Konner 9.775; 12. Lauren Schmeiss 9.650.
ALL-AROUND
1. Kalliah McCartney, SAC, 39.300; 2. Lauren Rice 39.125.
