SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State gymnastics team was topped by 26^th-ranked Southern Utah in the Hornets' first appearance at The Nest in over a month. The T-Birds took control of the meet early and finished with a 196.100-193.575 win over Sacramento State.
 
The Hornets found themselves down by over a half-point after the first rotation as SUU totaled 49.025 on bars compared to a 48.425 on vault from Sacramento State. The high score of the team came from Sarah Lutrel who anchored the lineup with a 9.825 to tie for second overall in the meet.
 
The biggest separation came in the second rotation as Sacramento State fought its way to a team total of 47.850 while Southern Utah added a full point to its lead with a 48.975 on vault. The Hornets did not have a fall on bars but had numerous small deductions resulting in a high score of 9.700.
 
A tightly-judged beam event during the third rotation saw Sacramento State total 48.375 which was well below the team's average entering the week. Emma Morgenthaler led the team with a 9.750 with the other four counting scores ranging from 9.650-9.725.
 
The Hornets' top event came on floor in the final rotation where Morgenthaler and Athena Jones each received a 9.825 to tie for third and help the team to an event score of 48.925.
 
Morgenthaler finished in second place in the all-around behind an even 39.000. Niya Randolph claimed the all-around title at 39.350 and was also first on bars (9.900) and floor (9.875).
 
Sacramento State will return to The Nest on Sunday, Mar. 9, to take on  Eastern Michigan at 2 p.m.
 
TEAM STANDINGS
1. #26 Southern Utah 196.100
2. Sacramento State 193.575
 
VAULT
1. Ellie Cacciola, SUU, 9.875; T2. Sarah Lutrel 9.825; T5. Rylin Zimmerman 9.750; T7. Emma Morgenthaler 9.725; 9. Grace Gilman 9.700; 11. Lexi Frank 9.425; 12. Kaitlyn Driessen 9.125.
 
BARS
1. Niya Randolph, SUU, 9.900; T6. Emma Morgenthaler 9.700; 8. Athena Jones 9.625; 9. Hannah Sitzman 9.600; 10. Sarah Lutrel 9.550; 11. Maliyah James 9.375; 12. Kara Houghton 9.300.
 
BEAM
1. Ellie Cacciola, SUU, 9.850; 5. Emma Morgenthaler 9.750; 6. Grace Gilman 9.725; T7. Sarah Lutrel 9.700; 9. Kara Houghton 9.650; 10. Athena Jones 9.550; 11. Kaitlyn Driessen 9.525.
 
FLOOR
1. Niya Randolph, SUU, 9.875; T3. Athena Jones, Emma Morgenthaler 9.825; T7. Sarah Lutrel 9.775; T9. Kara Houghton, Simone Dumas-Guzman 9.750; 12. Grace Gilman 9.625.
 
ALL-AROUND
1. Niya Randolph, SUU, 39.350; 2. Emma Morgenthaler 39.000; 4. Sarah Lutrel 38.850.