WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Through the first two meets of the program's second season, Notre Dame College has set a program record for most points in a competition and secured the program's first non-forfeit victory. On Friday, NDC posted a total of 231.895, at a tri-meet hosted by West Liberty University. The Falcons defeated West Virginia State University and fell to West Liberty.
"This meet was special in so many different aspects," said head coach
Nikki Pizzi. "Not only did these young women get their first ever program win, but I also got to share the mat with my former teammate and her team (West Virginia State) as they competed in their very first ever meet. It was amazing watching her and her team create history and continue to watch this sport grow!"
To begin the day in the Compulsory Event, NDC had some great moments and some struggles. With all start values of 10 in Compulsory, the Falcons earned a 9.35 in the Pyramid Heat and then took a 9.45 in the Toss Heat. The team then performed well in the Acro 5-element Heat, grabbing an 8.50, out of 9.20.
However, once the teams entered the Pyramid Event, NDC stepped up. The Falcons had an 8.15, out of 9.50 in the Inversion Heat, posted an 8.55, with a 9.50 start value, in the Synchronized Heat and then a 9.0, out of 9.6, in the Open Heat. The Falcons' event score of 25.70 was just 2.90 off of their start value.
The Toss Event was even better as NDC had the highest event score of the meet, putting together a total of 25.00. In the 450 Salto Heat, Notre Dame had a start value of 8.80 and received an 8.25 from the judges. NDC then had an 8.15, out of 9.0, in the Synchronized Heat and an 8.6, with a start value of 9.0, in the Open Heat. Their total of 25 was just 1.8 off the start value.
NDC did not disappoint in the Tumbling Event, either. They posted an 8.15 in the Trio Pass, which had a start value of 9.1. Individually,
Adrianna Nix was awarded 6.8, out of 7.65, in the Aerial Pass.
Sydney Gibson added a 8.65 in the 6-element and
Kati Rice put up an 8.825 in the Open Pass, as both the 6-element and Open both had a start value of 9.1. The Falcons posted a 46.175 for the entire Tumbling Event, just 3.65 behind West Liberty's score.
West Liberty ended the meet with a total of 253.585.
"Despite a few mistakes, the girls were able to keep their composure in a new atmosphere and arena while improving their scores, and overall performance in multiple heats in comparison to last week," Pizzi said. "I am looking forward to our two week break to work on perfecting our skills as well as working on some upgraded ones as well."
Last season, Notre Dame acrobatics & tumbling technically picked up its first win, a forfeit over Davis & Elkins College. But this is the first ever meet victory for NDC.
Notre Dame will have an extended break before hosting Buffalo State University in the Murphy Gymnasium, on March 3, at 3 p.m.
