EAST LANSING, Mich. – The 20th-ranked University of Iowa gymnastics team fell short to No. 14 Michigan State, 195.700-197.400, on Sunday afternoon in the Jenison Field House.
Freshman Eva Volpe posted a new personal best in the all-around with a score of 39.175. Sophomore Gianna Masella made her 2024 vault debut with an impressive score of 9.825.
BARS
The GymHawks posted a team score of 48.900 on bars, falling to the Spartans on the apparatus by four tenths of a point. Junior Marissa Rojas kicked off the meet for Iowa with a 9.750, and sophomore Kaia Vanney followed with a 9.725, tied for her career best. Volpe, the all-around freshman, brought in a 9.800 for the GymHawks. Masella posted a 9.825, just shy of her career-high, and Karina Muñoz landed a 9.800 in the anchor spot for bars.
VAULT
Iowa secured a season high of 49.100 on vault. Masella started the rotation off strong and landed a 9.825 in her 2024 vault debut. Sophomore Hannah Castillo, freshman Alyse Karenbauer, and Volpe each added a 9.800 to the team score. Sophomore Avery Chambers stuck a career-best of 9.875, and finished third in the meet. Muñoz was once again provided a strong anchor for the Hawkeyes, earning a 9.775.
FLOOR
In the third rotation, the GymHawks continued to fight and recorded a team score of 48.925. Volpe had a strong performance and received a 9.775 in the lead off position. Karenbauer carried her momentum onto floor posting a 9.725. Sophomore Emily Erb followed, earning a near perfect score of 9.900, bettering her career-high. Floor specialist Bailey Libby anchored for the Hawkeyes for the second meet in a row and delivered a 9.875.
BEAM
The Hawkeyes finished the afternoon on beam with a team score of 48.775. Volpe came out strong, sticking her routine for a 9.800, and secured a personal best, 39.175, in the all-around. Junior Alexa Ebeling posted her second score of 9.800 or above for the season on the beam. Volpe and Ebeling tied for fourth in the meet on the beam. Ilka Juk and Muñoz posted notable scores of 9.725 and 9.775, respectively.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH LARISSA LIBBY
“Physically we knew the team could withstand how tough these back to back meets are. What I have been most impressed with is their mentality. A lot has transpired over the course of these three meets and the type of team they have become through all of it quite impressive. The lessons they have gained will help them as we go further into the season and approach postseason. It’s still early, as hard as this was, it will pay off in the end.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will return home to compete against Nebraska on Sunday, Feb. 4. Action inside of Xtream Arena will begin at 1:00 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription needed).
