No. 7 Auburn wins SEC opener over No. 21 Kentucky, 196.275-195.175

Jan. 15, 2016

AUBURN, Ala. -- The No. 7 Auburn gymnastics team defeated No. 21 Kentucky 196.275--195.175 at the home and SEC opener on Friday at Auburn Arena.

"I thought we did a good job," said Head Coach Jeff Graba. "We started out pretty well. It seemed like we ran out of gas there at the end and I think that is probably indicative of one day of practice and the trip back, losing Monday and having a Sunday meet. This was a quick turnaround and we've got another quick turnaround. We shuffled the lineup up a little bit and I thought everybody handled what we shuffled really well. I thought they just took care of their own business and I thought they did a good job of focusing on themselves and not everyone else. In the end, I think we would have liked to have a little bit better ending, but it was a pretty good night."

Auburn opened on vault with a total score of 49.200 led by senior Lexus Demers' 9.900. Freshman A'Miracal Phillips and senior Caitlin Atkinson both scored a 9.850 while freshman Emma Engler posted a 9.825 and freshman Taylor Krippner and MJ Rott scored a 9.775.

Atkinson led the Tigers with a 9.900 on bars followed by senior Kait Kluz with a 9.875. Junior Kelsey Kopec, freshman Taylor Krippner and Engler posted a 9.825 to give the Tigers a 98.450-97.450 lead after the second rotation

Auburn posted a 49.075 on beam led by Atkinson, Millet and Demers with a 9.850. Junior Kullen Hlawek scored a 9.800 and Krippner and Engler posted a 9.725. The Tigers (2-0, 1-0) entered the final set leading the Wildcats (1-1, 0-1) 147.525--146.275.

Auburn wrapped things up on the floor posting a score of 48.750. Junior M.J. Rott led the way with a 9.800 followed by a pair of 9.775s from Milliet and Kluz. Junior Lucia Scaglione recorded a 9.750 and Hlawek scored a 9.650.

The Tigers will face No. 3 Alabama Sunday at 3 pm CT at the Elevate Meet in Birmingham, Ala., at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

Season and single meet tickets can be purchased online www.aubtix.com.

For the latest on Auburn gymnastics, follow @Auburn_Gym on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AUGymnastics.