TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The LSU gymnastics squad will compete against second-ranked Alabama in the final dual meet of the season at 7:30 p.m. CT Friday in the Crimson Tide’s Coleman Coliseum.
Fans can listen to a free broadcast of the meet in the Geaux Zone on www.LSUsports.net/live, and live scoring updates will be available on www.Facebook.com/lsugym and through @LSUgym on Twitter.
LSU (3-8, 0-5 Southeastern Conference) is in search of its first 196 road score as well as its first conference victory of the season.
The Tigers are coming off a 196.000 against New Hampshire in the final home meet on March 4, but the team’s season high on the road is a 195.550 at the Metroplex Challenge.
“The kids are focused, and I am hoping our good experiences at home will carry us on the road for the rest of our season,” head coach D-D Breaux said. “I have seen a lot of emotion in the gym this week, and the one emotion I have not seen is fear. I have seen eagerness, determination and some real competitiveness, so we need to carry that into the arena.”
LSU enters the meet with three all-arounders in the lineup after sophomore Ericka Garcia joined freshmen Kaleigh Dickson and Sarie Morrison at Kentucky. In back to back meets, Garcia has led the Tigers in the all-around, including a 39.000 last week against New Hampshire.
Senior Samantha Engle ended her final home meet last week in style with a 9.90 on floor to win the event title in only her second floor performance of the season.
Morrison earned her team-leading 12th individual title of the year with a season-high 9.925 on bars, and junior Ashley Lee posted a 9.875 on vault, increasing her vault average to a team-high 9.842.
The 22nd-ranked Tigers are hoping to duplicate the efforts of their last appearance in Tuscaloosa. On Feb. 13, 2009, LSU defeated Alabama in Tuscaloosa for only the second time in school history with a 196.625-195.750 win.
LSU will face a stiff test from the Crimson Tide as Alabama has scored a 197.075 or higher in four straight meets and they are undefeated at home this season at 4-0.
Alabama (10-1, 4-1) has been led all year by senior all-arounder Kayla Hoffman and junior Geralen Stack-Eaton who have both posted 39.675 all-around scores this season, tying for the second-highest score nationally.
LSU will travel to Birmingham, Ala., on March 19 for the SEC Championship featuring all seven conference teams. The meet will begin at 4 p.m. in the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC). Tickets are only $16 for adults and $10 for kids 10 years old and under. Visit www.Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000 to purchase tickets.