DAVIS, Calif. — Lauren Rice tied her career high and finished first in the all-around and Sacramento State recorded its second best score of the season with a 195.425 in a three-team meet on Friday at UC Davis. Cal, which entered the meet ranked 14th nationally, finished first with a 197.500 while also responsible for all four individual event champions. UC Davis was second at 196.025.
The Hornets opened the night on bars and scored 48.950. The team overcame a fall on the opening routine of the rotation to tie for its second highest score on the event this season. Cassie Benning led the squad with a score of 9.825 to place eighth overall. Rice and Kalliah McCartney tied for ninth with each receiving a 9.800. Julia Konner and Courtney Soliwoda scored 9.775 and 9.750, respectively.
Sacramento State followed with a 48.800 on beam. Konner, who was a late substitution into the lineup, opened with a 9.700. Benning added a 9.775 which was immediately matched by Megan Kyle. After a fall, Rice matched her career high with a 9.850 to tie for fifth on beam. McCartney closed the rotation with a 9.700.
The highest scoring event on the night for the Hornets came on floor where the team totaled 49.225. Freshman Carly Pratt started the event with a career high 9.700. Brenner also set a career best with a 9.850 to tie for eighth place in the meet. Following a 9.750 from McCartney, Konner scored a career best 9.850. The team's final two gymnasts each pushed the score upwards as Benning scored 9.875 to tie for fifth place and Rice closed with a 9.900 to tie for third. The score was the seventh best in school history.
Needing a big score to surpass UC Davis for second place, Sacramento State amassed a 48.450 on vault compared to the Aggies' 49.200 on floor. All six Sacramento State gymnasts scored between 9.575 and 9.700. Konner, McCartney and freshman Lauren Schmeiss tied for the team lead and shared 11th place in the meet.
Rice totaled 39.225 to win the all-around for the second time this season and the third time in her career. The sophomore's score matched her total from the Feb. 5 meet against Seattle Pacific for her career high. Konner placed second in the all-around with a total of 39.025. McCartney was third at 38.950.
Overall, Sacramento State's score was the seventh highest in school history, the fifth best on the road and the third highest in a regular season meet.
The team will next compete at the MPSF Championships on Saturday, March 19, at The Nest. The meet will start at 6 p.m.
TEAM RESULTS
1. #14 California 197.500
2. UC Davis 196.025
3. Sacramento State 195.425
VAULT
1. Arianna Robinson, Cal, 9.900; T11. Lauren Schmeiss, Julia Konner, Kalliah McCartney 9.700; T14. Megan Kyle, Lauren Rice 9.675; 18. Jennifer Brenner 9.575.
BARS
1. Tori-Ann Williams, Cal, 9.925; 8. Cassie Benning 9.825; T9. Lauren Rice, Kalliah McCartney 9.800; 13. Julia Konner 9.775; 14. Courtney Soliwoda 9.750; 18. Alyssa Anderson 8.650.
BEAM
1. Jessica Howe, Cal, 9.950; T5. Lauren Rice 9.850; T10. Cassie Benning, Megan Kyle 9.775; T15. Julia Konner, Kalliah McCartney 9.700; 18. Courtney Soliwoda 9.000.
FLOOR
1. Tori-Ann Williams, Cal, 9.950; T3. Lauren Rice 9.900; T5. Cassie Benning 9.875; T8. Jennifer Brenner, Julia Konner 9.850; 16. Kalliah McCartney 9.750; 17. Carly Pratt 9.700.
ALL-AROUND
1. Lauren Rice, SAC, 39.225; 2. Julia Konner 39.025; Kalliah McCartney 38.950.
