by Penelope Shirey | Design Editor
The top-ranked Baylor acrobatics and tumbling team (7-0) defeated No. 3 Azusa Pacific (4-1) 286.035- 278.825 at home Saturday night.
The victory extends their winning streak to 15 meets, stretching back to February of last season.
For the second meet in a row, the Bears beat their season-high total score while handing their opponent their first loss of the season.
Senior night began with strong performances from the three-time defending national champion Bears. Perfect 10.0 scores in heat two of compulsory and heat one of acro helped push the team to victory in the both events. The Bears led 39.10-37.95 after the compulsory event and 69.00-67.40 after the acro event. Their 29.90 acro result surpassed their previous record for the season and tied their highest ever total for that event.
Although they were bested in the pyramid event 29.65-29.35, they still went into halftime with a 98.35-97.05 lead.
The team returned from halftime to come up short again with a 29.25- 28.35 loss in the toss event.
Although the Cougars outscored the Bears in both the third and fourth events, the Bears still went into the fifth event leading the running total 126.70-126.30.
The Bears came out on top in the tumbling event, winning 58.125-55.875. The win included two very successful passes for the Bears, including a perfect 10.0 from junior top/base Kaylee Adams in the six element pass and a 9.975 from junior top Bailey Hollier in the aerial pass.
The night’s three perfect 10.0 scores were the team’s second, third and fourth of the year.
The team finished their last home meet of the season strong with a season-high 101.21 team event score, further solidifying their lead after Azusa Pacific’s team event which earned them a 96.65.
“We made a lot of changes, especially in the team event,” Head Coach Felecia Mulkey said. “I think we did well, and it was reflected in the score.”
The team will next face No. 2 Oregon, who they have already defeated once this season, in Eugene, Ore. on April 8. This will be their final meet before NCATA National Championships begin in Erie, Pa. on April 26.
