University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Maryland*
Terps Pull Through for 194.650-194.050 Win
2/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 13, 2009
PITTSBURGH -- The University of Pittsburgh gymnastics team's two meet Eastern Atlantic Gymnastics League winning streak came to an end here at the Fitzgerald Field House tonight, with visiting Maryland taking the 194.650-194.050 victory.
"We are taking baby steps each week in meeting each goal we set or raise and cannot complain about that," said head coach Debbie Yohman.
"The bars squad finally put together a 7-for-7 performance and earned a season-high score while the vault squad continues to put up top-10 scores. We had our third top-10 result of the season tonight, something that hasnt been accomplished since 2007."
The Panthers led after the first rotation on vault, scoring a 49.075, the second-highest team total this season. Maryland led off on bars, tallying a 48.650. Fresh off her first all-around title at Rutgers, Alicia Talucci set a new career-high mark with a 9.900, her first 9.9+ this season, capturing first place honors. Shannon McConnell also tied a career-high score of 9.800, finishing in third place. Anya Chayka also turned in a solid performance for the Panthers on vault, totaling a 9.775, the second-best score for her this season.
Pitt kept the pressure up after recording a season-best 48.550 in the second rotation on bars. Leading the way were co-captains Alix Croop and Bryan, who tied for third place. Croop went 9.800 while Bryan turned in a career-high 9.800. Jessica Byich set a season-high score of 9.650 while Amy Varela posted the second-highest mark of her young career at Pitt with a 9.775.
"A little noticed performance was that of [Victoria] McGuigan-Carl on bars," commented Yohman.
"With a three day old newly reworked bar set and a new grip after her broken-in one ripped during warm-ups, she went above 9.700 with a super bar set that should be 100 percent more consistent than what she was doing and help us out a lot."
Talucci and Shannon Vafiadou paced Pitt on beam, each tying career-high marks. The two all-arounders continued to come through when counted on, with Talucci scoring a 9.825 to take first place, edging Vafiadou who posted a 9.750 for fourth place.
"We had problems on beam tonight and along with becoming more confident on beam, I think we became a bit too comfortable - there will be no letting up on the pressure of making that beam squad on a weekly and meet basis!" commented Yohman.
Heading into the final rotation, Maryland held a 146.025-145.325 lead. Talucci again led the Panthers, collecting second place with a career-high 9.800. Bryan followed close behind with a 9.775 in third place, but it was not enough as Maryland put together a solid beam set to hold on for the win.
Talucci and Vafiadou went second and third in the all-around respectively, with Talucci setting a new career-high of 39.050 and Vafiadou a season-high of 38.800.
Pitt continues action at home next week in its second of three straight home meets. The Panthers welcome Michigan State University to Fitzgerald Field House Friday, Feb. 20. Meet time is slated for 7 p.m.
