The No. 14 Alabama Crimson Tide hosted the No. 4 Florida Gators on Friday night, losing 198.025-197.45.
Even though the night ended with a loss for Alabama, the team achieved its second-highest score of the season.
“What an electric night that was,” head coach Ashley Johnston said. “I think the team did a phenomenal job tonight of really treating it like a party and creating the moment and only looking at the one thing in front of them and giving that everything they got.”
Friday night was Senior Night, which honored graduate students Cameron Machado and Shania Adams along with seniors Lilly Hudson, Jordyn Paradise and Corinne Bunagan.
Rotation 1
As the home team, Alabama started the competition on the vault and Florida on the uneven bars. At the end of the first rotation, Florida led 49.475-49.35.
For the Crimson Tide, freshman Kylee Kvamme had the highest score, a 9.925. However, that was not enough to take the vault title, as Florida’s Leanne Wong scored a 9.975.
Rotation 2
At the end of Rotation 2, Alabama and Florida were tied at 98.875. Alabama scored a 49.525 on the uneven bars and Florida posted a 49.4 on the vault.
The Crimson Tide’s highest scores were 9.925 from freshman Paityn Walker and sophomore Chloe LaCoursiere. Florida’s Selena Harris-Miranda posted a 9.95 on the uneven bars to take the event title.
Rotation 3
For the third rotation, Alabama was on the balance beam, and Florida was on the floor. Florida ended the rotation leading 148.4-147.875.
On the balance beam, Alabama posted a 49. Florida scored a 49.525 on the floor.
The Crimson Tide’s balance beam rotation was not ideal, as junior Rachel Rybicki stumbled and posted a 9.575. After Rybicki’s routine, Bunagan fell during her routine and scored a 9.075.
“I think every missed opportunity is a great learning moment for growth,” Johnston said. “We can get better from that, and we can figure out how to make sure we tweak and correct and make decisions that help us stay vertical.”
Alabama’s highest score on the balance beam was 9.9, posted by Hudson and junior Gabby Gladieux. However, the balance beam title went to Florida’s Wong and Harris-Miranda, who each earned a 9.95.
Rotation 4
Alabama was on the floor for the final rotation, and Florida was on the balance beam. The Crimson Tide posted a 49.575, and the Gators scored a 49.625.
Alabama’s highest score was a 9.975 from Hudson, which landed her the event title.
“She takes her leadership inside and outside the gym. It’s not a performance; it’s something she lives by,” LaCoursiere said. “She’s just such an amazing leader of this team.”
Florida’s Wong won the all-around title with a score of 39.725.
