University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Michigan State
Panthers Fall to Spartans, 194.900-194.600
2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 20, 2009
PITTSBURGH — Despite a career-high all-around score from the reigning Eastern Atlantic Gymnastics League’s Rookie of the Week Alicia Talucci, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers were edged 194.900-194.600 by 22nd-ranked Michigan State University here tonight at Fitzgerald Field House.
Talucci set or tied career-high scores in three events en route to the first all-around win of her collegiate career. Her 39.250, a career-high, puts her in a tie for eighth place on the all-time record list in Pitt history.
The Panthers and Spartans were deadlocked at 48.600 after the first rotation. Pitt tallied a 48.600 on vault, led by a first place 9.850 effort from both junior co-captain Dani Bryan and sophomore Shannon Vafiadou, who notched a career-high with the score.
The bar squad set a season-high score of 48.725 with three Panthers earning personal marks in the process. Junior Jessica Byich notched a season-high 9.675 while senior co-captain Alix Croop tied her season-high of 9.825, tying for first place honors. Talucci’s 9.775 was a career-high and earned her fourth place.
Despite early troubles on the beam, Pitt was led by sophomore Molly Moyer and Talucci’s 9.875s, both career-high scores ending in a tie for third place. The Spartans beam duo of Kelsey Morley and Nicole Curler went 9.950 and 9.900 respectively, sealing the meet for MSU on its final rotation.
On floor, Talucci led the Blue and Gold, taking second place with a career-high tying 9.800. Moyer set a season-high mark of 9.775 and tied for third while freshman Lisa Taylor went for a career-high 9.725 in her first collegiate meet.
On tap for the Panthers next week is the home finale against Denver. The Panthers and Pioneers are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start on Saturday, Feb. 28. Pitt will honors its seniors prior to the start of the meet.
