Utah at LSU

Recap

The Big Storyline: Behind the strength of Haleigh Bryant’s perfect vault and strong all-around performance, seventh-ranked LSU was able to notch a new season high and defeat No. 4 Utah. Alyona Shchennikova looked back at full strength and picked up a share of the bars title while super senior Sarah Edwards capped off her home meet career with the floor win. The Utes had a pair of near-perfect performances on beam to prevent the Tiger sweep and put up their second best road total of the year.

Implications: Without at 198, the Utes left themselves vulnerable in the rankings and cannot surpass fourth next week. The Tigers put themselves in a position to climb as high as fifth.

Records: For the first time ever, LSU topped the country in attendance this year to break Utah’s streak held since 2004. Edwards’ floor winning total is a new career high.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 4 Utah at No. 7 LSU

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: In one of the season’s most highly anticipated matchups, Pac-12 co-champion Utah will head down to SEC country to take on powerhouse LSU. The Tigers will be hungry for a win after an upset loss to Kentucky at home last weekend and will have to fend off the Utes who just matched the highest team total in the NCAA this season in their last meet.

What We’re Watching: LSU will have little room for error, with Haleight Bryant and Kiya Johnson both needing to be healthy and in top form. That duo may need a few 10s for the Tigers to fend off a possible 10 barrage from the Utes, who now have had Maile O’Keefe, Grace McCallum, Cristal Isa and Sage Thompson all hit perfection this season.

What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: This meet will be a reunion of sorts, with each program’s assistant coaches having ties to the opposing team. Utah volunteer assistant coach Myia Hambrick was an All-American gymnast at LSU while Tiger assistant coaches Courtney McCool Griffeth and Garrett Griffeth were assistants for the Utes last season.