Their first meeting resulted in a Redbird loss, but the Illinois State gymnastics squad is expecting a different result on Friday when the Birds travel to Muncie, Ind. to face the Ball State Cardinals for the teams second meeting of the season.
The Golden Flashes of Kent State will round out the competition at Fridays triangular meet. Ball State will play host to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) foe, as well as non-conference rival Illinois State, as they open their home schedule with the tri-meet that is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in Irving Gym.
Illinois State goes into the meet with a record of 0-3, coming off two weekend losses to Central Michigan and Michigan State. Despite losing to both teams at the triangular meet, the Birds improved many of their individual scores.
Illinois State head coach Kristin Montero expects these improvements to result in a win for the Redbirds at Fridays competition.
The team made some great changes going into the second meet and those changes resulted in higher scores over the weekend, said Montero. We will do the same against Ball State and Kent State and hopefully come up with a win.
The Cardinals, 2-0, 0-0 MAC, defeated the Redbirds 191.775-189.075 at both teams first meeting of the season, which took place January 11, at Illinois States Horton Field House. Since this initial meeting, Ball State has continued its winning streak, traveling to Western Michigan for their first conference meet of the 2004 season. Their victory (193.200-193.150) over the Mustangs saw several high-scoring finishes for the Cardinals. Senior Quiana Williams led the team, capturing the all-around title with a score of 39.050. In addition, Williams won the vault title (9.725) and was BSUs highest finisher on beam (9.800) and floor (9.875), tying for second in each event.
Rounding out Fridays competition is Kent State, who is also 2-0, 0-0 in the Mid-American Conference. Picked to win the 2004 MAC regular-season title, Kent State opened its season with a 195.475-176.125 win over Wilson College. The Flashes went on to win their next meet, traveling to Rhode Island and picking up a 193.675-188.625 victory.
Looking for her squad to get more comfortable with each competition, Montero hopes her team will make a positive statement this weekend.
I think we are going to continue to improve each weekend, Montero said. The girls are getting more comfortable and competitive in each event, in every performance. This winning desire can only result in positive things for the Illinois State gymnastics team.
