UCLA
Nebraska
No. 1 UCLA Defeats No. 11 Nebraska in Season Opener
January 04, 2019 | Gymnastics
LOS ANGELES -- Top-ranked UCLA shined on beam and floor in its 197.250-195.700 season-opening win over No. 11 Nebraska on Friday at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Junior Kyla Ross won the all-around, with four scores of 9.850 or better for a 39.650 total. Ross won the vault with a 9.975 and tied for the lead on the floor exercise with UCLA senior Katelyn Ohashi and junior Gracie Kramer, each with a 9.950. Ohashi won the balance beam with a 9.900.
The Bruins (1-0) won their fifth-straight season opener for legendary head coach Valorie Kondos Field, who will retire from coaching at the conclusion of the season. In her 29th year, Kondos Field has led UCLA to all seven of its NCAA Championships, along with 14 conference and 19 NCAA Regional championships.
The Bruins (vault) began with a 49.175-49.050 lead over Nebraska (bars) after the first rotation. UCLA responded after a miss on its opening vault when junior Grace Glenn scored a 9.750 on her first collegiate vault, a Yurchenko full. Sophomore Pauline Tratz scored a 9.800 followed by a 9.750 from freshman Norah Flatley. Ross brought the house to its feet with a 9.975 on a stuck Yurchenko 1.5, receiving a 10.0 from one judge. Junior Felicia Hano capped off the rotation with a solid 9.900.
The Bruins (bars) increased their lead to 98.375-97.850 after the second rotation against the Cornhuskers (vault). UCLA posted a 49.200 on uneven bars with a pair of 9.875s from freshman Magzetta Frazier to open the rotation, and one by Ross to close it. Junior Madison Kocian and Flatley posted identical scores of 9.825 and junior Anna Glenn contributed a 9.800.
UCLA scored 49.325 on balance beam in the third rotation, with Ohashi capping the Bruins' strong showing with a 9.900. Flatley and Grace Glenn turned in a pair of 9.875s while Ross added a solid 9.850. Senior Brielle Nguyen contributed a 9.825 to help UCLA score 49+ in its 29th-straight meet on beam.
Highlighted by the trio of 9.95s from Kramer, Ross and Ohashi, the Bruins rocked the house in their final rotation on floor exercise with a team total of 49.550. Sophomore Nia Dennis led off with a strong 9.875, and Tratz added a 9.825 as UCLA scored 49+ on floor for the 23rd-consecutive meet.
Up next for UCLA is a short trip to Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 12 to face UC Davis, California and Michigan State at the Collegiate Challenge Powered by Under Armour. The event is slated to start at 6:00 p.m. PT at the Anaheim Convention Center and Arena and you can purchase tickets by clicking here.
The Bruins return to Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom to host Arizona State on Monday, Jan. 21. The dual meet will begin at 2:00 p.m. PT and will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks. You can purchase tickets to the battle with the Sun Devils by clicking here.
NOTES
UCLA has outscored 29 straight opponents over its last nine meets … UCLA has scored 49+ in 63 straight rotations (the team's last sub-49 score coming in the first rotation of the 2018 season opener) … UCLA has scored 49.5 or better on 21 of those 63 rotations … UCLA has scored 49+ on beam in its last 29 meets … UCLA has scored 49+ on floor in its last 23 meets … UCLA has won six of its last seven season openers, including victories in the last five years.
Players Mentioned
