Jan. 28, 2011
AUBURN - Auburn senior Rachel Inniss posted a pair of 9.900's to claim individual titles on balance beam and floor to help the Tigers score a season-high 195.150 in a loss to 12th-ranked at Auburn Arena Friday. The Razorbacks also posted a season-best with a 195.325.
The Tigers started strong on vault posting a season-high team score of 48.900, as Toi Garcia claimed her first individual title of the season with a career high 9.900. Justine Foster followed with a season high 9.800 and Allyson Sandusky hit her landing for a season high 9.825 as the Tigers led Arkansas, 48.900-48.800, after the first rotation.
"I'm excited and disappointed at the same time," Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. "We're starting to do some things really well, and then we're still making some mistakes. I just think we're still seeing some growing pains. We practiced better than this. This one surprised me a little bit tonight."
Arkansas took the lead after the second rotation behind a strong vault as the Razorbacks had all five gymnasts post a 9.775 or better. The Razorbacks led,
97.825-97.650, despite Auburn's Leah Vining and Kylie Shields, who both received a 9.825 to tie for first in individual honors.
The Tigers regained the lead after a season-best 49.250 on balance beam, not counting any score lower than a 9.775. Allyson Sandusky and Rachel Inniss both hit their routines and posted a 9.900. Sandusky and Inniss also tied for first individually, marking Inniss' third title of the year, and the second for Sandusky. Shields made her first beam performance of the season and earned a 9.85 for her effort.
"Rachel has just been a rock for us, she's unbelievable," Graba said. "I love the fact that we can rely on people now, and we're starting to get to a point where we can rely on a couple of spots in each lineup and really have a fun time of wrapping up our stuff. The unfortunate part is we're starting off with some hiccups, and we have to get over that."
With a 146.900-146.650 lead entering the final rotation, the Tigers saw the team title slip away as Arkansas tallied a 48.675 on beam, while Auburn finished with a 48.250 on floor. Inniss nailed her floor routine for a 9.900 and her second title of the evening, before a crown of 3,856.
Jaime Pisani won the all-around as the Razorback junior posted a 39.425 score. Teammate Katherine Grable was second (39.200). Petrina Yokay was Auburn's top all-arounder finishing third with a 38.825.
The Tigers return to action next Friday at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Arena to take on the Kentucky Wildcats.
Vault
Katie Hurley - 9.55
Petrina Yokay - 9.725
Allyson Sandusky - 9.825
Lauren Brzostowski - 9.6
Toi Garcia - 9.9 (Career high)
Justine Foster - 9.85 (Season high)
Total - 48.900 (Season high)
Uneven Bars
Toi Garcia - 8.925
Kendall Swartz - 9.625
Leah Vining - 9.825 (Career high)
Petrina Yokay - 9.7
Allyson Sandusky - 9.775
Kylie Shields - 9.825 (T-season high)
Kareen Kaveh (Exh.) - 9.625
Total - 48.750
Balance Beam
Lauren Brzostowski - 9.775 (Season high)
Petrina Yokay - 9.825 (Career high)
Abbey Habicht - 9.75
Kylie Shields - 9.85 (Season high, first appearance)
Allyson Sandusky - 9.9 (Career high)
Rachel Inniss - 9.9 (Season high)
Laura Lane (Exh.) - 9.15
Total - 49.250 (Season high)
Floor Exercise
Lauren Brzostowski - 9.0
Petrina Yokay - 9.575
Laura Lane - 9.75 (T-career high)
Justine Foster - 9.2
Toi Garcia - 9.825
Rachel Inniss - 9.9 (T-season high)
Total - 48.250