The LSU gymnastics team’s upperclassmen haven’t forgotten the last time Alabama rolled into the PMAC.
The Tigers upset the top-ranked Crimson Tide two years ago at home, 196.475-196.050, and have a chance to defeat a higher-ranked Alabama squad again tonight.
“When we beat them in 2010, it was really exciting,” said senior Ashley Lee. “I think we went into it expecting a win. We knew we had the ranked.”
LSU posted its two highest scores in its last two meets with a 196.85 and a 196.45, respectively, and the team’s confidence has soared directly with its scores. Lee said the Tigers won’t be overwhelmed when they see a top-three team in the Tide.
“I think they’re beatable,” Lee said. “We’re just as good. The talent’s there, and the difficulty’s there.”
Freshmen Rheagan Courville and Jessie Jordan posted season-highs in the all-around with a 39.50 and a 39.40, respectively, a week ago in Washington.
Another freshman, Randi Lau, competed in vault for just the second time this season and tied for the title in the event with a season-high 9.90, while sophomore Maliah Mathis posted a season-high 9.875 on the apparatus.
“It was a really great feeling,” Lau said. “It was an experience I’ve never had before, and it was so great to share it with my team and having everyone support me and knowing they’re there for me.”
The LSU gymnasts were shorthanded in the event, as freshman Lloimincia Hall had to sit out of the vault and bars for the first time this season while resting an injured ankle.
She is expected to compete in the all-around again this weekend.
Alabama knows about success on the vault, as the Crimson Tide rank first in the nation in the event with a 49.421 average. Their success in the other events hardly declines, as Alabama ranks in the top 10 nationally in each apparatus.
The Crimson Tide has posted two team scores of 197 or higher this season, but both came at home. Breaux said she thinks LSU is also capable of reaching that score
at home.
“We have been very methodical in the growth process with this team,” Breaux said. “We have the potential to be a 197 with this team, and that’s always
our goal.”
 
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Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]