Sure, there may have been an emotional hangover. Sure, there were more balance checks and faulty landings than usual. Sure, the LSU gymnastics squad didn’t look like the same team that scored a school-record of 198.050 just last week.
It surely wasn’t there best performance, but the No. 1 Tigers (9-3, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) still walked away with another victory, defeating No. 25 North Carolina State (12-7) 197.500-195.525 Friday night in the PMAC.
Despite what junior all-arounder Rheagan Courville described as a “bland” night, LSU has now scored at least a 197 in eighth consecutive meets, which matches the school record set back in 2004.
But when a squad’s had as much success as LSU has had this season, there’s bound to be a bit of a comedown at some point, according to coach D-D Breaux. She’s just glad it came now.
“This was kind of a letdown week,” Breaux said. “We didn’t want one, but if there’s any time in your season that this is okay, it’s right now.”
For Courville, who claimed the all-around title with a 39.500 despite a near-fall on the beam, the major area of concern is to not let doubt creep in during performances.
“It’s disappointing because I know I can do better,” Courville said. “I’m second guessing myself, and I try not to do that. I’m just going to have the mindset in the gym that I don’t need to carry those mistakes because that’s not who I am and that’s not part of my regiment.”
With LSU being two weeks away from the SEC championships, Breaux decided it was the right time to get some members of the squad a little rest, most notably junior all-arounder Jessie Jordan, who claimed last week’s all-around title.
“My back has been bothering me a little bit, but I also just need some rest right now so I can get back in the lineup and do my normal stuff, especially in the postseason when my team really needs me,” Jordan said.
Jordan only performed on the uneven bars and beam, and she was able to claim her fourth beam title of the season with a career high of 9.975.
Junior Britney Ranzy filled in for Jordan on vault and the floor exercise, but she wasn’t the only Tiger gymnast to get added to the action. Breaux chose to have exhibition performers in all four events, a rare move for this season. Breaux hoped the lineup shift would give her more potential options for postseason competition. 
“We did that tonight with two intentions,” Breaux said. “One was to rest Jessie, and the other one is to get some other people ready. You look at Sydney [Ewing], who did an exhibition vault. It would have been a counting score for us. Jessica Savona on beam would have been a counting score for us.”
Despite what felt like an off night, LSU should remain the No. 1 team in the country on Monday, which is when each week’s regional qualifying scores come out. The squad’s body of work throughout the entire season has been that strong.
As far as the meet was concerned, the victory was never in question for LSU, and the squad took a 49.500-48.800 lead after the first rotation. The Tigers began on vault, with Courville and junior Lloimincia Hall sharing the title. For Courville, who was last year’s vault national champion, it was the fourth vault crown of the season. It was also Hall’s first.
LSU then went to the uneven bars, and for the third consecutive meet, Courville and senior Sarie Morrison shared the title, each scoring a 9.900. The share extended Morrison’s school record for most bars crowns to 28.
After bars, the squad went to beam, and despite the night’s overall moderate feel, the Tigers had their best performance in nearly a month . The squad tallied a 49.325 in the event, the highest score since Feb. 9 against Oklahoma. Jordan claimed the title, but freshman Ashleigh Gnat also delivered a strong performance. The one known as “Bugs” scored a 9.950, which was a career high.
LSU finished its night on floor with a 49.350. Hall claimed her fourth floor title of the season, scoring a 9.950. Courville and junior Jessica Savona added a 9.925 apiece. 
The Tigers have one meet remaining before postseason action begins, and it’ll be SEC foe Kentucky coming to Baton Rouge next week. Breaux’s goal this week is to get the squad to compete with the same confidence it has displayed all season up to this point. 
“When you’re doing beautiful execution and then doubting yourself on the landing, that’s not bad gymnastics,” Breaux said, “that’s over thinking gymnastics. They just need to relax and enjoy the process. Nothing matters except the relaxed mindset and the confidence that we’re good enough to win the championship.”

Gallery • 36 Photos

Angela Major

LSU freshman all-around gymnast Sydney Ewing poses on the beam Friday, March 7, 2014 during the Tigers' 197.500-195.525 victory against NC State in the PMAC.