A week of practice devoted to fine-tuning the small things didn't appear to pose any threat to Kent State University winning their 10th straight Mid-American Conference regular season meet.
The Ball State University gymnastics team (1-2, 0-2 MAC), lost 190.700-194.575 to the Golden Flashes last Friday.
Through the third week of the season, the Cardinals have been successful in sustaining strong individual efforts from a number of gymnasts, but coach Nadalie Walsh said the energy level during meets must translate to daily practices.
"They are learning leaps and bounds every meet," Walsh said. "We just have to have the same energy in practices that we do in our meets so we'll get more done."
Individual bests for the Cardinals against the Golden Flashes included Teresa Phipps finishing in a first place tie on the uneven bars with a 9.80, and a tie with freshman Brittney Emmons for third place on the vault with a 9.825.
Despite the loss, a helpful point of reference is being able to learn from where you've been, Phipps said.
"We don't want to wipe the slate clean," Phipps said. "We want to remember what we've done right and what we've done wrong so we can make sure to do it again or not do it again."
A shortcoming for the Cardinals thus far has been the absence of senior Cobie Zuk, having missed action due to knee, ankle and back injuries.
"It's tough not having her because she's one of our best floor workers," Walsh said of her team captain. "It forces our younger girls to get out there and try to be as good as her."
Regardless of being sidelined with injuries, Zuk, a three-event competitor, has provided invaluable emotional support, Phipps said.
"[Cobie] does an awesome job at leading the team and getting them pumped up to compete," Phipps said. "It's hard because she does three events and competes on all of them. She's had a good attitude about it, and everyone's cheering for her."
Walsh said she expects Zuk back in action in mid- to late-February.
"Our sport is hard when your body gets older," Walsh said. "Her body is having a hard time healing each area. You can ignore an ankle, but you can't ignore a back."
With four more conference meets remaining, Walsh and her staff said they are aiming to finish the MAC on a positive note heading into a MAC Tournament, which is heavily dependent on performance in the regular season.
"If we can keep up with Kent State, I feel confident that they can surpass the other conference schools."
Based solely on conference records, each MAC Tournament team chooses the event they wish to compete in first.
"I'd love to get our record to 4-2 to have a better rotation at conference," Walsh said. "I feel like they found their niche and they understand what it's like to have fun and to be focused at the same time. It was a 180-degree turnaround from Bowling Green."
The Cardinals compete again on Sunday when they host Central Michigan University at 2 p.m.
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