Women's Gymnastics | March 10

 
DeKalb, Ill. - Senior Alyssa Al-Ashari (Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge) tied for first place on uneven parallel bars to lead the Northern Illinois University gymnastics team to a team score of 194.625 on Senior Day as the Huskies closed out their 2024 home schedule versus Ball State Sunday in the NIU Convocation Center. MAC-leading Ball State scored 196.100 to win the meet.

After the meet, the Huskies honored their five seniors, Kendall George (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central), Olivia Lynd (West Chester, Ohio/Ursuline), Grace Humphrys (Cocoa, Fla./Space Coast), Isabelle West (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) and Al-Ashari.

"It's always hard when they move on," said NIU head coach Sam Morreale. "We know this day is coming from the moment we sign them, but it's still bittersweet."

The Huskies opened the meet on vault and posted a 48.725. Kiera O'Shea (Norridge, Ill./Ridgewood) posted a score of 9.850 on vault and took home third place in the event. Emmalise Nock (Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount) earned a score of 9.775 on vault. 

The Huskies then moved to bars where they scored a 49.000, good for the Huskies third highest score on the event in 2024. Al-Ashari's score of 9.875 tied for meet honors while Alana Anderson and Nock each earned 9.800 with Nock's score matching her career high on the event.

NIU (8-11-1, 1-5 MAC) faltered on the beam but saw Ellery Werner (Rhinelander, Wis./Rhinelander) lead with a 9.800, which was good for third place in the meet. George earned 9.775 in her final home meet.

"I thought we did well everywhere and just missed on beam," Morreale said. "I don't know if it was the emotions or just trying too hard. Hopefully we don't grab onto the mistakes. Overall, as a team we did well today."

Nock scored a 9.775 and paced the Huskies as they wrapped up the meet on floor.

The Huskies compete in the final regular season meet of the season next Sunday, March 17 at Minnesota with Air Force and West Virginia also competing in the quad meet. Ball State will host the MAC Championships on Saturday, March 23.

"We're going to take what we did well and take it to Minnesota," Morreale said. "We have two weeks to get the ship righted before MAC Championships. We started this year with a goal of winning the MAC and that is what we will show up trying to do. I think we have the talent and the depth but we just need to put our best meet together."

-- NIU --