Consistency.
LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux preached the word throughout the week, but it was No. 1 Florida who had it Friday at No. 24 LSU’s home opening meet.
The Tigers (0-3, 0-2) led after the first rotation but fell behind soon thereafter and couldn’t regain any rhythm, as the Gators (3-0, 2-0) won decisively, 196.425-194.000.
“We gave away a point and a half in immature mistakes and foolish things that should not have taken place,” Breaux said.
The loss snapped LSU’s 10-meet home win streak. The Tigers won every home meet last season.
“We’ve got some upperclassmen that right now they’re still trying to find their fitness, they’re still trying to be stronger off the floor, and I can’t explain that,” Breaux said. “It’s kind of frustrating.”
LSU began the night promisingly on vault, posting a season-high score of 49.125, and freshman Sarie Morrison posted a career-high individual score of 9.875 in the rotation.
Junior Ashley Lee finished with the same score, and each LSU gymnast scored above a 9.700.
The Tigers couldn’t carry the same luck to the uneven bars, posting a season-low 48.100. LSU struggled on bars in its opening meet against Oregon State, as well, posting a 48.200.
“Tonight on bars we saw extra swings and uncharacteristic things that shouldn’t be happening,” Breaux said.
Two of the Tigers’ first three scores on bars were under 9.500. Senior Samantha Engle and Morrison rounded out the scores with a respectable 9.725 and 9.800, respectively.
Morrison’s 9.800 tied for the title in the event. It marked the only event a Tiger shared an individual title.
It was also Engle’s only event after persevering through an ankle injury that kept her out last weekend against Auburn.
“We need [Engle] in three events,” Breaux said. “We need the experience. She’s a senior that’s capable of giving us 9.80s and 9.90s. We need to see that come around, and I don’t know how long that’s going to take.”
Morrison competed in every rotation and finished with an all-around score of 39.100.
“I tell the kids what I want is a little bit of improvement each week, and Sarie’s done that,” Breaux said. “She works hard at her fitness. She looks good for a very tall gymnast.”
The Tigers lost the lead
after the bars, 98.275-97.225, and couldn’t keep up with the nation’s best team.
LSU didn’t post a single individual score higher than 9.800 after the bars, while the Gators remained consistent with six scores of at least 9.800 in the final two events. Florida outscored LSU by .575 on the beam and .800 on the floor to seal the win.
Morrison and sophomore Janelle Garcia led the Tigers on beam, each posting a 9.725. A trio of Tigers paced LSU on floor with a 9.725.
A crowd of 3,590 was on hand to witness the defeat.
“We want to come back and please the crowd,” Lee said. “We need to go in the gym and work harder and get better.”
 
 
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Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]