Meet #10: No. 12 Denver at Sacramento State

Friday, February 25, 2011 • 8 p.m. MT

Hornet's Next (1,100) • Sacramento, Calif.

Web: www.HornetSports.com

Pioneer Rankings:

Denver jumped seven spots in the national rankings after the Pioneers' comeback victory last week at the Burnsley Invitational from No. 19 to No. 12. The Pioneers are tied for ninth in the nation on vault (49.015), 12th on balance beam (48.625), 14th on uneven bars (48.875) and are tied for 16th on floor (48.825). Regionally, DU is first on vault, first on beam, third on bars and third on floor.

Individually, junior Brianna Springer (Arvada, Colo.) is ranked 13th in the nation in the all-around and is tied for 18th nationally on vault. Junior Louise Mercer (Nottingham, England) is ranked 18th nationally in the all-around, tied for 11th on floor and tied for 13th on uneven bars. Freshman Moriah Martin (Lake Mary, Fla.) is tied for 14th nationally and ranks first in the region on vault.

All-Time Against Sacramento State:

The Pioneers are 3-0 all-time against the Hornets. DU and Sacramento State have not met since Jan. 22, 2000 when DU defeated the Hornets 194.300-188.775 at the Rocky Mountain Open.

Scouting the Hornets:

Sacramento State (5-4, 2-2 WAC) has won three straight meets headed into Friday's matchup against Denver. Last week, the Hornets defeated Cal State Fullerton 191.375-188.725 on the road. Sacramento State is ranked No. 50 nationally, 44th on vault (48.135), tied for 45th on floor (48.100), 47th on balance beam (47.340), and 55th on uneven bars (47.120).

Last Time Out:

The No. 19 University of Denver gymnastics team recorded its best floor exercise score of the season in the final rotation of the Burnsley Invitational to defeat then No. 10 Nebraska 195.850-195.725 in a comeback win at home. The Pioneers trailed the Cornhuskers 147.350-146.500 headed into the final rotation, but with career-highs from freshman Melodie Pulgarin Linero (Barcelona, Spain), Mercer and freshman Kaitlin Moorhead (Palo Alto, Calif.), Denver scored a season-high 49.350 on floor and leapfrogged Nebraska for the victory.

- PIONEERS -