LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., today to face off against two-time defending national champion Alabama.
No, football season hasn’t arrived early, but rather, the No. 5 Tiger gymnastics team will take to the mats against the No. 6 Crimson Tide in hopes of securing its first victory against the conference rival since 2009.
LSU, fresh off its highest score since March 2010 against No. 3 Florida, is averaging 196.475 points through the first two meets.
“We expect consistency,” said LSU coach D-D Breaux. “We’re expecting the same performances we saw in the first two weeks. I think this team has learned quickly that they’re talented, and I think they also know they have to rely on each other. There is no one person on this team that is going to make this a winning effort.”
This will be the first away meet for a strong freshman class that includes 2012 Canadian Olympic team alternate Jessica Savona.
“From what I’ve been told, away meets are a lot more difficult with crowds, and this is Alabama, one of our rivals,” Savona said. “I’m trying to stay focused on myself and the team and doing well for the team. I’m trying not to let all the negative stuff get in the way.”
Savona has competed in every event except bars in both meets this season, with Breaux alluding to the possibility that the freshman may move into the all-around competition in the coming weeks.
If Savona were to be added to the bars roster, she would become the third all-around competitor for the Tigers, all of which are underclassmen.
“[The sophomore class] has come in and got out there and gave us almost a third of our lineup and are really the backbone of the team,” Breaux said. “But we’re seeing a lot of leadership from Kaleigh Dickson and Sarie Morrison, a lot of high impact in the lineup, which is taking some pressure off our freshman class.”
Morrison is coming back from a sophomore season filled with injuries.
She was relegated to just the bars competition after two foot surgeries despite competing in the all around as a freshman.
“I honestly didn’t think I would ever be able to compete in vault again,” Morrison said. “I just feel blessed to be able to compete in vault again. Last year I mainly did bars, I only competed in vault twice … My goal for next year is to be able to add floor in also and do all three events.”
Alabama scored 196.45 in its season opener against Missouri last Friday, a win that included a score of 49 or better in all four events and won all five individual titles. Junior All-American Kim Jacob posted a 39.275 in the all-around for her first win since her freshman year.
Who: No. 5 LSU vs. No. 6 Alabama
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Where: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Watch or listen at home: ESPNU, Jan. 24, 5:30 p.m.
