By Morgan Rhodes

Despite a season-high home score, the UK gymnastics team fell to defending NCAA Champions and second-ranked Alabama on Friday. Posting season-high floor scores, UK lost 196.0-194.7.

Sophomore Kayla Hartley earned a career-high 9.9 on floor exercise, the highest score on floor for either team.

“She performed excellent,” head coach Tim Garrison said. “She nailed it.”

Hartley is the eighteenth gymnast in school history to earn a 9.9 or higher on floor. She also now holds the title for highest score in any event for UK this season.

Solid performances by sophomore Audrey Harrison with a 9.8, freshman Alexis Gross with a season-high score of 9.775, freshman Kenzie Hedges with a 9.7, sophomore Kayla Sienkowski with a 9.675 and freshman Shelby Hilton with a 9.625 earned UK a season-high score of 48.85 on floor.

Almost posting a season-high team score on bars with a 48.750, three UK gymnasts tied or set career-high scores.

Senior Storey Morris tied her best score with a 9.8. Freshman Sarah Shipley scored a career-high 9.75, and senior Whitney Rose tied a season-high score of 9.725. Also on bars, Gross, Harrison and sophomore Caitlyn Ciokajlo earned 9.75, 9.725 and 9.675 respectively.

On vault, UK posted a team score of 48.775. Hedges scored a career-high with 9.85. Sophomore Holly Cunningham earned a 9.8, Morris earned a 9.775, Harrison earned a 9.725, and Gross a 9.55. Hilton earned a career-high with a 9.625.

Lastly, on beam, UK earned a team score of 48.325. Morris scored a 9.8, freshman Shannon Mitchell scored a 9.725, Harrison a 9.65, Cunningham a 9.6, Gross a 9.55 and Sienkowski an 8.6.

Gross said beam is one of the most nerve-wracking events. As an all-around performer, Gross competed in all four events.

“I thought I had a good night,” Gross said.

From event to event, Gross was seen rounding the edges of the mats, cheering on her teammates.

“I get really excited to compete,” Gross said. “I just want everyone to feel how I feel.”

Garrison praised his team’s progress and development as a team.

“Our goal is to get better, we can get rid of minor mistakes,” Garrison said. “I think we are right on track.”

Next, UK travels to Athens, Ga. to compete against the No. 6 Bulldogs at 4 p.m. on Saturday.