AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 11 Auburn gymnastics team saved its best for last, earning a 9.925 and a pair of 9.9s on floor to eclipse the 197-mark Friday in its home opener at sold-out Neville Arena.
No. 9 Kentucky lived up to its ranking, outscoring the Tigers 197.475-197.025.
"I'm really proud of the team," Auburn coach Jeff Graba said. "I love the fact that we're continuing to give new people opportunities. The main job was to fight tonight and get a little bit better, and we did."
After Aria Brusch and Julianne Huff led off with 9.85s on floor, Gabby McLaughlin completed her excellent night by earning a career-high 9.9 with a routine that elicited a loud ovation.
"The energy is unmatched here at Neville Arena," McLaughlin said of the 9,121 fans in attendance.
"A testament to the hard work she's put in over the summer," said Graba, noting that McLaughlin has choreographed most of her teammates' floor routines. "It's her time to shine."
Sophia Groth followed with a 9.9, Cassie Stevens earned a 9.85 and Olivia Hollingsworth anchored with a 9.925, Auburn's highest score of the meet to help the Tigers score 49.425 on floor.
"Floor is always the most fun event, the most engaging with the crowd," Groth said. "We love this fanbase. There's nothing like it. We wanted to end on a strong note."
Making her Auburn debut, senior transfer Sydney Schumaker highlighted the Tigers' opening rotation with a 9.9 to earn a share of the vault title with Kentucky's Cecily Rizo.
Hollingsworth and Stevens both scored 9.875s, Groth earned a 9.825 and Huff added a 9.8 in her first meet on the Plains.
A leadoff stumble on bars turned up the pressure on the rest of the lineup, which handled the situation skillfully with five consecutive 9.8s or better.
Hollingsworth and Groth earned 9.85s, Stevens anchored with a 9.8, Brusch scored a 9.825 and McLaughlin tied her career high with a 9.875 in her first home event of the young season.
Auburn earned a 49.2 on bars but lost its lead to the visiting Wildcats, who scored 49.375 on vault to take a 98.550-98.475 lead into the meet's second half.
Hollingsworth continued her stellar meet, leading off the third rotation with a 9.85 on beam.
"Her strength has always been consistency," Graba said. "I think we're at the point now where people are going to start recognizing her. The beam team needs her in the leadoff spot right now. I'm massively impressed."
A fall in the middle of the beam lineup forced Auburn to count a balance-checked 9.65 in the second spot. Groth compensated by earning a 9.9, a score McLaughlin matched in the anchor spot. Stevens earned a 9.825 to give Auburn a 49.125 on beam.
Kentucky scored a pair of 9.95s on floor, from Raena Worley and Creslyn Brose, to earn a 49.5 in the third rotation and take a 148.050-147.6 lead to the final event.
Worley won the all-around with a 39.65. Hollingsworth led a trio of Tiger all-arounders with a 39.5. Groth scored 39.475 and Stevens tailed a 39.35.
The Tigers remain at Neville Arena next Friday when they host Florida at 5 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
Strong finish helps No. 11 Auburn score a 197.025 in home opener
