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Huskers score an “All-Around” victory over Penn State

ByRosalie Suggs|

With skill, beauty and confidence, No.8 Nebraska women’s gymnastics earned their 1st conference victory over the Penn State Nittany Lady Lions Saturday afternoon at the Devaney Center in Lincoln. It was a resounding victory for the Huskers who won 3 event titles and the All-round competition, scoring 197.125 total points to the 196.025 points of Penn State.

Huskers, dressed in two-tone dark red and black leotards embellished with twinkling rhinestones, made an emphatic statement with the 1st event – vault. Sophomore Ashley Lambert scored a perfect 10.00, NU’s first since 2011! The line-up of Ashley Lambert, Desire’ Stephens, Hollie Blanske, Kamerin Moore and Jessie DeZiel scored a total of 49.75 on vault which is a record high for the program.

Penn State’s first event of the meet was on bars. The Nittany Lions were led by Briannah Tsang and Sydney Sanabria-Robles who tied for the event title. At the end of the first rotation, the Huskers held a 49.75 – 49.025 lead over Penn State. Nebraska then moved to bars in the 2nd rotation. Blanske and Lambert both notched identical 9.85 scores to share in win for the event title. Freshmen Kamerin Moore added a 9.825 score and Danielle Breen scored a 9.75, their personal bests so far this season.

Penn State scored 49.275 in their 2nd rotation at vault. They were led by Sidney Sanabria-Robles. After 2 events, Nebraska still led Penn State 98.625 – 98.30 but it was clear the Nittany Lions had become more comfortable and focused. On beam, Nebraska scored 49.25. Two freshmen came up big for the Huskers: Grace Williams with 9.925 and Danielle Breen with 9.85. Senior Jesse DeZiel, who returned to competition this week from a minor injury, earned a 9.85. In her only appearance for this meet, Jennifer Lauer added her score of 9.825.

Penn State, coached by the husband/wife duo of Jeff and Rachelle Thompson, were all smiles as their squad moved on to floor exercise. However, the Lady Lions ran into trouble with each routine as they were plagued by bobbled landings. Emma Sibson earned their highest score of 9.90 on the event. At the end of 3 events, Nebraska had widened their lead over Penn State 147.875 – 147.050.

The Huskers finished the evening with floor exercise. With renewed energy, the NU women combined to score 49.250. Interwoven into each routine was the gesture of “throw the bones” more often seen at Nebraska football games than on a gymnastics mat.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State imploded on the beam in their last rotation. Briannah Tsang’s 9.90 score was the bright spot but the other performances were mired by near falls and a complete fall. The Nittany Lions’ squad who came into the meet with a 3-0 record finished with 196.025 to Nebraska’s 197.125.

Hollie Blanske and Ashley Lambert continued their strong performances  head-to-head in the All-Around competition. While Ashley Lambert won her first all-around award in the meet with Lindonwood last week with Hollie Blanske taking 2nd, this week the order was a bit of a reversal. Blanske took 1st with a 39.500 score, while Lambert took 3rd place with 39.375, and NU senior Jessie DeZiel placed 5th with a total of 39.25. Penn State took second place with Sidney Sanabria-Robles and her score of 39.425.

More from Husker Corner

In a brief on-the-floor interview with BTN, Nebraska Coach Dan Kendig was asked about the difference between his squad this season and last year’s super six team. “We have quality depth this season. Today we have lots of girls competing. They encourage each other”

Nebraska travels to New Brunswick, N.J. next weekend for a quad meet. They will face conference foe Rutgers,along with Brockport and Southern Connecticut. Stay tuned for further updates and as always, GO BIG RED!!

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