No.14 Auburn fell to No.20 Georgia 197.500 to 196.900 Friday night in Athens. Auburn entered Friday night hoping to flip the script in two ways. The first was to start stronger on the first two rotations and the second was to have a strong road meet.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, they met neither of those goals. The first two rotations continued to be unkind as no Tiger scored above 9.900 on either bars or vault. Redshirt freshman Olivia Greaves was the lone Tiger to score in the 9.9s in the first two rotations. No matter the focus on the first two rotations by Auburn, it has yet to come through with strong scores. The slow starts have put the Tigers at a disadvantage in each meeting.
In last Friday's meet, Auburn overcame the slow start to defeat Missouri, but that would not be the case on Friday night in Athens. The reason Auburn could not mount the comeback had a lot to do with the Bulldogs. Georgia had one of its best meets of the season finishing with its best score of the season and was determined to get the victory.
Despite falling to Georgia, it was not all doom and gloom for Auburn Friday. The final two rotations continue to be a strength for the Tigers and something they can rely on as the post-season approaches. Auburn scored a 49.350 on floor in the third rotation and a 49.325 on beam in the final rotation. Senior Olivia Hollingsworth scored 9.925 on floor and junior Sophia Groth and senior Gabby McLaughlin each scored 9.925 on beam.
"We had some bright spots tonight with big performances in each rotation," Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. "Being on the road in the SEC is never easy and I thought the team did well in a tough environment."
Auburn's consistency on floor and beam is crucial for its success the rest of the season. If scores remain high on those two events for the Tigers it gives them flexibility in the first two rotations knowing how they will finish. Add stronger starts to a team that finishes strong and Auburn could be a dangerous team down the stretch this season.
What will it take for Auburn to break out of the slow start rut? That remains to be seen, but the Tigers will have two more opportunities before the postseason begins. Auburn will travel to Baton Rouge next Friday for the 2024 Podium Challenge. The Tigers will face off against LSU, George Washington, and Texas Woman's University.
The meet will begin at 6 p.m. next Friday and air on the SEC Network.
