Florida traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala., wanting to prove how well it could perform against a great opponent and in front of a large road crowd.
The Gators did just that Friday night, putting together their second-highest team total of the season.
That effort, however, wasn’t enough to beat No. 2 Alabama (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference), as the Crimson Tide topped No. 6 Florida (4-2, 3-1 SEC), 197.425 – 196.600.
For as well as the Gators performed Friday night, Alabama one-upped them each time, coming away with team victories in each event.
Alabama got off to a great start in the first rotation, where it put together a 49.500 on vault, led by a meet-high 9.975 by Ricki Lebegern. The quick start by Alabama resulted in Florida trailing by .575 points after one rotation.
It wound up being a gap the Gators could not close.
Entering the final rotation, Florida trailed by .525 points. After its first two routines on the beam – a 9.825 by Courtney Gladys and a 9.85 by Elizabeth Mahlich – it looked as though the Gators might close in on Alabama.
The Tide finished strong, though, registering a 9.925 by Geralen Stack-Eaton, a 9.875 by Ashley Preiss and a meet-high 9.975 on floor by Morgan Dennis.
Those three gymnasts for Alabama also recorded the top-three all-around scores of the night. Stack-Eaton took home the all-around title with a 39.625, and Preiss and Dennis tied for second with a pair of 39.45s. Florida freshman Ashanée Dickerson finished fourth with a 39.35.
Despite the Gators’ overall strong performance, the meet marked the first time all season no Gator gymnast took home an event title.
