Illini Fall to #9 Missouri

Results

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini fell to No. 9 Missouri 197.200-196.675 on Sunday, Feb. 9 at Huff Hall. The Illini notched their highest team score of the season behind four event title winners.

On vault, Olivia Coppola led off for the Illini with a 9.800, tying her season high. Arielle Ward continued to raise the bar, earning a 9.950 for a new career high on vault to win the event title. "We competed three 10.0 start values on vault today, which is a huge milestone for Illinois Women's Gymnastics, and I can't wait to watch them keep getting better," head coach Nadalie Walsh said. "Arielle, Mya and Eden have really stepped up in raising the difficulty of their vaults."

After the first rotation, the Illini trailed 49.200-49.475. Moving onto bars, Makayla Green once again led the way for the Orange and Blue, scoring a 9.850. Arielle Ward added a 9.800 to the mix.

On beam, Amelia Knight and Olivia Coppola each hit a 9.900 to lead the Illini. The mark was a season high for Knight, and a career high for Coppola. The two Illini would be part of a three-way tie for first on the apparatus. After the third rotation, the Illini trailed Missouri by just 0.625 points.

In the final rotation, Ward tied her career-high 9.875 before Chloe Cho scored a career-high 9.950 on her way to the event title.

"Having a double-meet weekend this early in February was a difficult thing to do, and I'm very proud of this team for having two of their best meets back-to-back," said Walsh. "I am very pleased with the maturity that we're starting to see and the personalities that are developing. I always knew this team would look a lot different in February than in January, because they're extremely talented and just needed to gain valuable experience as such a young team." 

The Illini will get their rematch opportunity against Missouri next weekend, as they head to the Zou to the Lou Quad on Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. CT. Alabama and Iowa will round out the teams in attendance. 

Event Winners

Chloe Cho - Floor Exercise (9.950)

Olivia Coppola - Balance Beam (9.900)

Amelia Knight - Balance Beam (9.900)

Arielle Ward - Vault (9.950)

Career Highs

Chloe Cho - Floor Exercise (9.950)

Olivia Coppola - Balance Beam (9.900)

Mya Gordon - Vault (9.775)

Eden King - Vault (9.825), Balance Beam (9.825)

Mareli Muller - Floor Exercise (9.875)

Megan Sapp - Balance Beam (9.775)

Arielle Ward - Vault (9.950), Floor Exercise (9.875)