January 11, 1999

LOS ANGELES - Behind 49+ team scores on vault and bars, defending NCAA women's gymnastics champion and pre-season No. 1 Georgia defeated third-ranked UCLA 195.8-193.5.

Said Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan, "I'm excited about the way we competed, especially after Friday (at Washington) when we had a lot of falls. I knew we were talented, but today we showed a lot of mental strength."

Despite the loss, UCLA head coach Valorie Kondos was optimistic about her team's outlook. "I was shocked at how good we are!" she proclaimed. "I didn't know we were this good. We're really good! Before this weekend, I felt we were one of the Top 10 teams in the nation. After this weekend, I think we're in the Top 2."

Sophomore Kristi Lichey won the all-around with a score of 39.25. Said Yoculan, "For Kristi to come out with this level of competitors and win the all- around her first time back in the all-around in two years is quite an accomplishment for her, and I'm very proud of her." Lichey's older sister Karin placed second in the all-around with a 39.0, followed by UCLA sophomore Mohini Bhardwaj with a career-high 38.8. Bhardwaj also won the vault with a career-high tying 9.95. Fellow Bruin Heidi Moneymaker won the beam with a 9.85, and Georgia's Jenni Beathard won bars with a 9.95, while Sam Muhleman placed first on floor with a 9.925.

Team: 1) Georgia 195.8, 2) UCLA 193.5
All-Around: 1) Kristi Lichey (GA) 39.25; 2) Karin Lichey (GA) 39.0; 3) Mohini Bhardwaj (UCLA) 38.8
Vault: 1) Bhardwaj (UCLA) 9.95; 2) Ka. Lichey (GA) 9.9; 3) Kiralee Hayashi (UCLA) 9.85
Bars: 1) Jenni Beathard (GA) 9.95; 2) Ka. Lichey (GA) 9.9; 3) Sam Muhleman (GA) 9.8
Beam: 1) Heidi Moneymaker (UCLA) 9.85; 2t) Ka. Lichey (GA) 9.825; 2t) Kr. Lichey (GA) 9.825
Floor: 1) Muhleman (GA) 9.925; 2) Suzanne Sears (GA) 9.875; 3t) Bhardwaj (UCLA) 9.85; 3t) Kr. Lichey (GA) 9.85