BATON ROUGE — LSU’s seventh-ranked gymnastics team returns to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Friday for its first of three straight home meets when it hosts No. 15 Michigan State at 7 p.m.
It will be the second meeting of the season for the two teams as LSU traveled to East Lansing, Mich., for the season-opener on Jan. 7. MSU came out on top, 195.475-193.725.
“Michigan State is a good team that is capable of beating any team on any night,” said LSU head coach D-D Breaux. “I think we are a much improved team from three weeks ago. We have had a few really good weeks of training and I believe we are much more routine ready.”
The Tigers (2-3, 1-1 SEC) are coming off an outstanding performance against Alabama last week, nearly upsetting the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. However, a season-best 197.050 from the Tigers wasn’t quite enough as Alabama prevailed with a 197.175.
LSU has been led by junior All-American April Burkholder. The reigning SEC Gymnast of the Week, Burkholder won the all-around last week at Alabama, posting an SEC-best 39.575.
Michigan State enters the meet at 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans have posted a season-high of 195.475, but are averaging a 194.075 in three meets.
MSU has been led by junior all-arounder Sarah Alexander who is currently ranked 16th in the nation with a 39.150 average.
LSU leads the all-time series with Michigan State, 18-3-0, a mark that includes a perfect 8-0 record at the PMAC.
Following the Michigan State meet, LSU will return to its SEC slate when it hosts No. 12 Arkansas, Feb. 4, at the PMAC.
Tickets for all LSU home meets can be purchased in person at the LSU Ticket Office, over the phone at 1-800-960-8587 or on the internet at www.LSUsports.net. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12.