Final Stats

NIU-Ball State Finals Results 

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Northern Illinois University women's gymnastics team suffered a 194.200-193.225 loss to Ball State at Irving Gym Friday night.

NIU (8-3, 3-2) took the top three spots on the uneven parallel bars, scoring a 48.500. However, Ball State (2-7, 2-3) won three of the four events, including a meet-high 49.100 on the vault.

Jamyra Carter (Ypsilanti, Mich./Huron) won the bars for the third-straight week, scoring a 9.800, while Ashley Potts (Oakwood Hills, Ill./Prairie Ridge) took second with a 9.750. Meg Piepenbrink (Glen, Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard South) took third with a 9.725.

"They're a solid group each and every time they go out there," said NIU head coach Sam Morreale of the Huskie bars squad. "It's a great starting event for us on the road. Ashley continues to go out there and get it done leading off for us."

After trailing 49.100-48.500, the Huskies held a 145.500-145.250 with a 48.775 on the vault and a 48.225 on floor exercise heading into the final rotation. Freshman Andie Van Voorhis (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard) scored a career-high 9.850 on the vault to finish second in the event for NIU.

The Cardinals overtook NIU with a 48.950 performance on the floor, while the Huskies scored a 47.725 on the balance beam.

NIU turned in its lowest scores in the floor and balance beam since its meet at Western Michigan earlier this year. The Huskies' 47.725 on the beam and 48.225 we below NIU's season average.

"We weren't as crisp or as sharp as we have been," Morreale said. "It wasn't our best day on beam or floor, but the kids fought hard.

"We're happy with the score. Like I told the team, the 193 doesn't define us. We know we're a 195 team and we'll just get back at it next week."

Shelby Davis (Wichita, Kan./Heights) and Amanda Stepp (Lapeer, Mich./Lapeer) finished third and fourth respectively on the beam. Davis scored a 9.750, while Stepp's routine garnered a 9.700.

NIU returns to competition Saturday, Mar. 7, when the Huskies welcome Illinois, Illinois State and UIC to the Convocation Center for the State of Illinois Classic. Competition begins at 6 p.m. Central Time and the meet will be available on ESPN3.

-NIU-