CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini women's gymnastics scored a season-high 196.175 on Sunday as No. 3 Alabama visited Huff Hall. Despite season-high team scores in the final two rotations, Illinois fell, 197.125-196.175.
Lyden Saltness turned in a career-high 9.900 on the beam to earn her first title on the event this season.
"Tonight, we went against one of the best teams in the country," said head coach Josh Nilson. "We showed grit and poise and got our season-high on two events and overall. We sent our seniors off the right way."
On vault to start the day, the Illini's best score came from senior Alea Byrne, whose 9.825 marked a new season-high and ranked fourth in the meet. Chloe Cho claimed the team's second-best tally with a 9.775.
In their second rotation, the Fighting Illini were led by Saltness' season-high-tying 9.925, good for fourth place. Cho scored a 9.850 to finish seventh on bars. Piper Gow's 9.825 was a new career-best mark and earned the freshman eighth place in the meet.
The Illini set a new season-best score on beam during the third rotation of the day. Saltness led the way for the Orange and Blue, taking the title with her career-best 9.900. Cho and Byrne tied for fourth with identical marks of 9.850.
The final rotation of the afternoon saw the Illini post another season-best team score with a 49.150 on floor. Eden King tied her career-high with a 9.900, finishing in a tie for second place, while Cho and Ava Banks both notched a 9.850.
Illinois recognized its four seniors in a post-meet Senior Day ceremony.
UP NEXT
Illinois closes the regular season with a quad meet at No. 13 Minnesota next Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m. CT. The Fighting Illini will compete against the host Golden Gophers, No. 19 Iowa, and Northern Illinois in Minneapolis on B1G+.
