The Clemson gymnastics team fell to NC State Wolfpack, 196.300-195.600, to conclude its second ACC matchup in front of a sellout crowd in Littlejohn Coliseum on Friday.
The Tigers (3-1, 2-1 ACC) began on vault with redshirt junior Eve Jackson leading the rotation. Jackson scored a 9.700, while teammates Molly Arnold and Maggie Holman both hauled in 9.850s. Clemson ended the first rotation tied with NC State at 49.050 points.
In the second rotation, the Tigers put up strong scores on the bars to help take a slight lead over the Wolfpack (3-4, 3-0 ACC). Jackson, in addition to graduate Kaitlin DeGuzeman, each had scores of 9.850, while redshirt freshman Lilly Lippeatt was close behind with a score of 9.825. Freshman Trinity Webb made her official rotation debut and closed off the rotation on bars with a score of 9.825, placing Clemson up by .100 with a score of 98.200 compared to NC State’s 98.100.
Clemson struggled on beam, with a fall and multiple balancing issues throughout the rotation. Rebecca Wells brought in the highest score for Clemson during this rotation at 9.850, while Lippeatt came in close behind at 9.775.
The missteps throughout this rotation ultimately allowed the Wolfpack to take a 147.450- 146.075 leading heading into the final rotation.
Brie Clark, who had the highest scoring floor routine last week against North Carolina, was out on Friday because of an illness. In light of her absence, others stepped up, including Lauren Rutherford and Arnold, who tied for first place on floor with near-perfect scores of 9.950.
Even with a program high on the floor, the Tigers ultimately fell short of defeating the Wolfpack and suffered their first loss of the inaugural season.
Up next for Clemson will be a road trip to Pittsburgh on Friday, Feb. 9, to take on the Panthers. The Tigers will be back in Littlejohn Coliseum on Feb. 23 to take on North Carolina at 7:30 p.m.
