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University of Illinois Athletics

Women's Gymnastics

Illini Edge Michigan State 196.500-196.325

Women's Gymnastics

Illini Edge Michigan State 196.500-196.325

Feb. 20, 2015

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team overcame trailing after the third rotation, led by a 49.100 total on floor, to claim a 196.500-196.325 victory over Michigan State Friday night inside Huff Hall. With the win, Illinois maintains control of the Victory Plank for the sixth straight year.

"I thought there was a lot of great stuff today and I thought there was some stuff that we were a little tentative on," head coach Kim Landrus said. "It definitely was another step for us. We had a major mistake on both beam and floor, but the individuals who followed really put together some clutch performances."

The Orange and Blue remained undefeated at home (4-0) and posted the second-highest team score of the season. Individually, Giana O'Connor took home the All-Around title for the second consecutive meet, finishing with a 39.450. The Illini claimed three other event titles on the night. Sunny Kato took first on beam tying her season-high with a 9.900. This marks the fifth time Kato has posted that score this season. Erin Buchanan claimed the vault title by tying her season-high of 9.875, while O'Connor tied with Lisa Burt and Elena Lagoski of Michigan State for the floor title with a 9.900.

The Orange and Blue started on vault with a 49.050, the second-best vault performance of the season. Buchanan led the Illini with a 9.875 and O'Connor followed with a third-place finish (9.825). Mary Jane Horth (9.800), Heather Foley (9.775) and Sarah Lyons (9.775) also counted scores.

In the second rotation, the Illini posted a 49.100 on bars. O'Connor led with a third-place finish (9.850). Three Illini posted 9.825's in Naleway, Kato and Horth, while Lyons (9.775) rounded out the Illini who scored in the event.

The Spartans would take a 147.450-147.400 lead after the third rotation with a 49.400 on floor. Meanwhile on beam, the Illini totaled the second-highest beam score of the season with a 49.250. Kato earned her second straight event title with a 9.900. The Illini posted the top five scores on the event, as O'Connor (9.875), Naleway (9.825), Foley (9.825) and Horth (9.825) followed.

The Illini responded to secure the victory on floor, where they withstood a fall and posted a 49.100. O'Connor led with a 9.900 which tied for first. Buchanan followed with a 9.850, while Kelsi Eberly (9.800), Naleway (9.800) and Foley (9.750) rounded out the Illini who scored in the event.

Up next, the Illini will host defending co-national champion Oklahoma on Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m. inside Huff Hall for Senior Night.

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Players Mentioned

Erin Buchanan

Erin Buchanan

All-Around
5' 2"
Sophomore
Kelsi Eberly

Kelsi Eberly

All-Around
5' 3"
Senior
Heather Foley

Heather Foley

VT, BB, FX
5' 7"
Junior
Mary Jane Otto

Mary Jane Otto

All-Around
5' 7"
Sophomore
Sunny Kato

Sunny Kato

UB, BB
5' 1"
Senior
Sarah Lyons

Sarah Lyons

All-Around
5' 3"
Sophomore
Giana O

Giana O'Connor

All-Around
5' 2"
Junior
Erin Buchanan

Erin Buchanan

All-Around
5' 2"
Freshman
Kelsi Eberly

Kelsi Eberly

All-Around
5' 2"
Junior
Heather Foley

Heather Foley

All-Around
5' 5"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Erin Buchanan

Erin Buchanan

5' 2"
Sophomore
All-Around
Kelsi Eberly

Kelsi Eberly

5' 3"
Senior
All-Around
Heather Foley

Heather Foley

5' 7"
Junior
VT, BB, FX
Mary Jane Otto

Mary Jane Otto

5' 7"
Sophomore
All-Around
Sunny Kato

Sunny Kato

5' 1"
Senior
UB, BB
Sarah Lyons

Sarah Lyons

5' 3"
Sophomore
All-Around
Giana O

Giana O'Connor

5' 2"
Junior
All-Around
Erin Buchanan

Erin Buchanan

5' 2"
Freshman
All-Around
Kelsi Eberly

Kelsi Eberly

5' 2"
Junior
All-Around
Heather Foley

Heather Foley

5' 5"
Sophomore
All-Around