University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panthers and Spartans set for Friday Night Dual
2/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 19, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh gymnastics team will host its second of three straight home meets this weekend, looking to bounce back from a close loss to EAGL rival Maryland as they welcome Michigan State University.
Pitt takes a break from EAGL competition with its first non-conference dual meet since the season opening loss to Penn State back in January. Michigan State (5-9) fell the Nittany Lions as well this season, 195.875-194.175.
The Panthers (5-4, 2-3 EAGL) are coming off a close loss to Maryland, where they finished in the top three spots on vault and took the top spot on beam thanks to two-time EAGL Rookie of the Week Alicia Talucci (Coatsville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan).
With several Panthers continuously breaking their personal records and setting season-high scores, Pitt gymnastics holds several Northeast Regional rankings for both team scores and individual events. The Panthers are regionally ranked in all four events--second on vault (48.765 average), third on bars (47.845 average) and fourth on both beam (47.955 average) and floor (48.270 average).
Individually, junior Dani Bryan (Germantown, Md./Northwest) leads the region on vault (9.840 regional qualifying score). Talucci is tied for second with a season average of 9.810 and is also ranked eighth in the region on the floor with a 9.700 average. Senior Alix Croop (Allentown, Pa./Bridgeway Academy) holds the third-place ranking on the uneven bars with a season average of 9.775.
Pitt is also gaining ground on the national level, coming in 17th for the season on vault with an average 48.765. Also in the national rankings is Bryan, who is tied for 18th in the country on vault.
The Spartans also hold national rankings, including 22nd in the all-around, 22nd on bars and 25th on vault.
The Panthers and Spartans are set for a 7 p.m. start at the Fitzgerald Field House.
Probable Lineup:
Vault
1. Krista Rubini
2. Molly Moyer
3. Amy Varela
4. Shannon Vafiadou
5. Alicia Talucci
6. Dani Bryan
Bars
1. Jessica Byich
2. Victoria McGuigan-Carl
3. Shannon Vafiadou
4. Alicia Talucci
5. Dani Bryan
6. Amy Varela
Alt. - Alix Croop
Beam
1. Shannon Vafiadou
2. Andrea Konesky
3. Jessica Byich
4. Molly Moyer
5. Alicia Talucci
6. Alix Croop
Alt. - Dani Bryan
Floor
1. Lisa Taylor
2. Shannon Vafiadou
3. Krista Rubini
4. Molly Moyer
5. Alicia Talucci
6. Dani Bryan
