[break] The 11th-ranked Georgia Gymdogs led through two rotations and scored season bests on both vault and beam, but No. 5 Alabama pulled away in the final rotation to hand Georgia a 197.675-196.825 loss on Friday night in front of 9,978 fans in Stegeman Coliseum.

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The Gymdogs fall to 3-5 on the year (2-3 SEC), while Alabama improves to 6-1 with a 4-1 mark in the conference. Despite the loss, Georgia tied or set six career and seven season personal bests in its first home meet in 27 days.

 

“Through three events, I thought we were right on track,” head coach Danna Durante said. “And yes, there were mistakes, but you need five scores to count. So I was really proud of them for the way they performed on those three events. Vault and beam were our best of the year. We made progress but we’ve got to stop beating ourselves on any event. We are better than that. I’m excited about some things but absolutely we need to be able to finish a meet.”

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Georgia opened the night with a 49.550 on vault, its best score on any event this season. Chelsea Davis tied her career high with a 9.9 on her first vault of the season. Moments later, Ashlyn Broussard turned in a career-best 9.975 and Brittany Rogers followed with a 9.95, also a career high. Natalie Vaculik scored a 9.875 and Brandie Jay added a 9.85 to round out the event for the Gymdogs. After the Tide’s 49.375 on bars, Georgia led going into the second rotation.

 

Sarah Persinger led the way on bars with a career-high 9.9 in route to Georgia’s 49.3 on the event. Rogers posted a 9.875, while Davis and Natalie Vaculik added a pair of 9.85s. At the halfway mark, Georgia led with its highest score through two rotations this season, 98.850-98.800.

 

Mary Beth Box highlighted Georgia’s campaign on beam with a career-high 9.95 in the closing spot. Vivi Babalis and Rogers each scored a 9.85, with Babalis tying her personal best, to give the Gymdogs their highest mark on beam this season, a 49.3. However, Alabama had four gymnasts go 9.9 or higher on floor to score a 49.525 on the event. Going into the final rotation, the Tide held a narrow 148.325-148.150 lead.

 

On floor, Persinger opened with a season-best 9.875, but Georgia was forced to count a fall in the middle of the lineup. Box and Jay closed the event with a pair of 9.85s, while Alabama notched a 49.350 on beam in the final rotation.

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The Gymdogs will travel to Auburn for their final regular season road meet on Friday. The meet is slated to begin at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on the SEC Network+.

 

Georgia vs. Alabama

 

Team Results

1. Alabama – 197.675 (VT- 49.425, UB- 49.375, BB- 49.350, FX- 49.525)

2. Georgia – 196.825 (VT- 49.550, UB- 49.300, BB- 49.300, FX- 48.675)

 

Vault

Natalie Vaculik – 9.875, Beth Roberts – 9.800, Chelsea Davis – 9.900, Ashlyn Broussard – 9.975, Brittany Rogers – 9.950, Brandie Jay – 9.850

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Bars

Brandie Jay – 9.125, Natalie Vaculik – 9.850, Sarah Persinger – 9.900, Kiera Brown – 9.825, Chelsea Davis – 9.850, Brittany Rogers – 9.875

[break] [break] Beam

Natalie Vaculik – 9.825, Kiera Brown – 9.125, Vivi Babalis – 9.850, Brittany Rogers – 9.850, Ashlyn Broussard – 9.825, Mary Beth Box – 9.950

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[break] Floor

Sarah Persinger – 9.875, Ashlyn Broussard – 9.275, Gigi Marino – 9.200, Vivi Babalis – 9.825, Mary Beth Box – 9.850, Brandie Jay – 9.850​
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