DEKALB, Ill. – For the first time this season, Illinois State squared off head-to-head with an opponent in a dual meet as the Redbirds traveled north to DeKalb to take on in-state rival Northern Illinois. The Redbirds started strong and never looked back, as they posted a season-high team score of 196.150 to defeat the Huskies on Friday night at the Convocation Center.
The 196.150 is the fourth-highest team score in program history and the third highest in the last three seasons for the Redbirds.
Scoring Breakdown:
•   Illinois State: 196.150Â
•   Northern Illinois: 192.275
Thoughts From Coach Conkling:
"What a great night for the team, as we posted three events of a score of 49.000 or higher. I'm so proud of how they all competed with confidence and poise. We still left some points out there, so the team knows they are capable of even more as we turn our attention to our first home meet of the year on Tuesday."
Team Notes:
•   A hot start on bars gave the Redbirds an early advantage, as they posted a season-best score of 49.000 on bars to begin the meet. That score ties for the ninth-best score in program history.
•   The Redbirds widened their lead with a strong performance on vault, as they scored a 48.850 while the Huskies struggled on bars as the meet moved to the halfway mark.
•   Things continued to go ISU's way in rotation No. 3, as the Redbirds posted a 49.200 on floor to continue hold a commanding lead in the meet.
•   ISU capped off the night with another solid routine on beam, scoring 49.100 to solidify the win and team season-high score.
Gymnast Notes:
•   Jaye Mack tied for first on vault with a 9.850, with teammate Mya Robinson right behind in third with a 9.800 and Alana Laster in a tie for fourth place with a 9.775.
•   The Redbirds took the top six spots on bars, with Reese Grolla picking up the win with a 9.850, Julia Heiner in second with a 9.825 and Sara Wabi in third with a 9.800.
•   Grolla also took home the win on balance beam with a 9.900, followed in second place by Ally Lau with a 9.875 and Mack in third with a 9.850.
•   It was also a clean sweep at the top on floor for the Birds, as Laster won with a 9.900 followed by Wabi in second with a 9.875, Mack in third with a 9.850 and Kaitlyn Donovan in fourth with a 9.825.
•   Robinson was the lone Redbird to compete in the all-around, as she finished in first place with a 38.775.
Up Next:
In four days, these same two programs will meet in Normal, Illinois, when the Redbirds host the Huskies on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. inside historic Horton Field House.
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