University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Bridgeport
Minutewomen Win Over Bridgeport
March 02, 2002 | Women's Gymnastics
March 2, 2002
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts women's gymnastics team defeated Bridgeport, 188.125-185.700, here on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, UMass improves to 3-11 on the year, while Bridgeport falls to 6-4 on the season.
Freshman Nicole Groccia (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the Minutewomen, as she captured her first career all-around title. Groccia posted a career-high 37.825, winning both the vault and the floor exercise titles.
Competing in the vault for just the second time all season, Groccia landed a superb 9.550 to spark the Minutewomen to their first lead. UMass led after the first rotation 46.950-46.275.
Junior Katie Teft (Grand Rapids, Mich.) again led the Minutewomen on uneven bars, as she posted a 9.900, her second-highest score of the season. Sophomore Mellory Giberson (Bingham, Maine) recorded a 9.800, her second 9.8 or better in as many weeks, to give UMass a 93.725-91.850 lead after two events.
Giberson began a UMass rally on balance beam, as the 2001 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year landed a 9.500. Groccia followed with a 9.500, and freshman Danielle Clarke (Kinnelon, N.J.) connected with a 9.525.
On floor exercise, the final Minutewoman apparatus, junior Tiffany Slade (Westborough, Mass.) posted a season-best 9.650, and Groccia followed with a career high 9.800 to secure the win for UMass.
Groccia captured the all-around title by just 0.125 over Bridgeport's Joey-Marie Kochanski, who claimed the balance beam score with a 9.725.
UMass will return to action next weekend as they travel to Rutgers on Friday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m.
- UMass -
