Alabama Defeats Michigan State in Season Opener
No. 7 Alabama defeated No. 12 Michigan State 196.975-196.550 in its 2023 season opener at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Tide senior Luisa Blanco won the All-Around with a total score of 39.575.
Alabama led from the get-go, scoring a 49.325 in its first rotation which was on the vault. Makarri Doggette led the vault with a 9.900, followed by Blanco with a 9.875, Shallon Olsen, Lilly Hudson with a 9.850 and Jordyn Paradise with a 9.850, and Gabby Gladieux with the dropped 9.825.
Michigan State scored a 49.075 in its first rotation which was on the bars. Nikki Smith led the Spartans on the bars with a 9.875, followed by Delanie Harkness with a 9.850, Olivia Zsarmani with a 9.825, Skyla Schulte with a 9.800, Gabi Stephen with a 9.725, and Jori Jackard with a dropped 9.700.
The Tide competed on the bars for its second rotation. Doggette had the top score for Alabama with a 9.900, followed by Blanco with a 9.875, Hudson and Cameron Machado with a 9.950, and Paradise and Mati Waligora both earning a 9.800.
The Spartans competed on the vault for their second rotation. Sage Kellerman and Stephen had the top score with a 9.900, followed by Smith with a 9.850, Schulte and Garcia with 9.825s, and Smith with the dropped 9.800.
Alabama went into the beam, for its third rotation, with a .225 lead over the Spartans. Blanco earned the highest score with a 9.900, followed by Hudson with a 9.850, Gladieux with a 9.825, Olsen and Doggette both scoring 9.775s, and Mati Waligora with a dropped 9.675.
Schulte and Stephen tied for the highest score with 9.900s, followed by Smith with a 9.850, Harkness with a 9.775, Smith with a 9.750, and Garcia with the dropped 9.675. After three rotations, the Spartans cut into the Tide's lead, only down by .175.
Alabama finished its evening on the floor and sealed the win with Blanco's night high of a 9.925. Gladieux scored a 9.900, Waligora with a 9.850, Doggette with a 9.800, Olsen with a 9.775, and Hudson finished her night with a dropped score of 9.650.
Michigan State finished its night on the beam. Garcia had the highest score with a 9.900, followed by Stephen with a 9.825, Giana Kalefe with a 9.775, Schulte and Zsarmani with 9.750s, and Smith with the dropped score of 9.625.
Next Friday, the Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics team travels to Fayetteville, Ark., to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks.The meet is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and will air on the SEC Network.
More From Tide 100.9
