Despite a high-scoring performance by freshman Katlyn Roggensack, the MSU women's gymnastics team fell a few points shy to Kentucky.
The meet was the season opener for both squads, and they were encouraged by a spirited Jenison Field House crowd of about 250 fans. When the cheers and energetic music died down, however, the No. 23 Wildcats took the tally 192.775 to 189.225.
Krystle Cook led the way for Kentucky with the top all-around score of 38.975 out of a possible 40. Roggensack was close behind with 38.575.
"I was nervous because it's such a change from club," Roggensack said of going into her first collegiate competition. "But it's a positive change."
Any anxiety Roggensack may have had prior to the meet wasn't evident during any of her four strong and confident exercises.
"She (Roggensack) did awesome — we are very, very proud of her," MSU head coach Kathie Klages said. "She stepped up and didn't let that 'freshmanitis' get to her at all."
Along with Roggensack, freshmen Jenna Russell, Briana Dicus and Dani Fanning, sophomore transfer Rhiannan Banda-Scott and sophomore walk-on Megan McNally saw their first action as Spartans. Out of MSU's 22 exercises, 15 were completed by freshman and sophomores.
Two top all-arounders, senior captain Sarah Alexander and junior Kristen Coleman, both suffered injuries last week which forced the younger members to fill the void, Klages said.
Although Alexander and Coleman normally compete in all four events, they each competed in only one event Friday. Alexander vaulted and Coleman performed an uneven bar exercise, which she won with an impressive 9.825.
"We had to use whoever was healthy, and a lot of kids are new to the program," Klages said. "It was a very stressful week for us and I think it showed in the competition. But I'm really excited about the potential I saw tonight."
Injuries plagued the Spartans last season as well.
They ended the 2005 season with a 17-11 record that didn't qualify them for regional competition — the first time since 2001.
Injuries aside, the Spartans are already low in numbers with only 11 athletes, compared to the 19 they had a season ago and the 16 that Kentucky used on Friday.
Junior Chayla Hill said she doesn't see this as a disadvantage.
"We're a lot closer and more personable with each other than in previous years," Hill said. "Yes, we're small in numbers, but we're powerful people."
At the season opener, Hill had a good night winning the floor exercise with a 9.8 and scored a 9.8 on the vault and a 9.675 on the balance beam respectively.
The Spartans take on Pittsburgh and Western Michigan 1 p.m. on Saturday at Jenison Field House.
