Feb. 24, 2008

ITHACA, N.Y. - Despite Alina Liao landing atop the podium on beam, floor, and in the all-around, the Bulldogs weren't able to surmount the outstanding performance by home team Cornell. Cornell easily won with a 191.8, while Yale placed second with a 189.05. Penn came in third (188.025), ahead of Brown (186.725).

Yale had a season best set of vaults, with Liao leading the way. Her career high 9.7 placed third. Allison Mak also followed with a career high 9.65, with Brigitte Kivisto (9.575) right behind her. Lauren Tatsuno scored a 9.525, and Laura Lombardi had a season high 9.325.

On bars, a few little mistakes crept their way in, but Yale had some strong scores. After Cynthia Leung opened up with a season high 9.375, the Bulldogs had a trio of 9.5s. At the front was Lombardi's 9.55, followed by Kivisto (9.525) and Liao (9.5).

Once again Yale shone on beam, sweeping the top three places. Mak and Tatsuno tied for third place with a pair of 9.6s. Lombardi placed second with a 9.65, and Liao's 9.675 had her crowned Ivy beam champion.

The floor also turned into Liao's stage, where she tied received the highest score of the night (9.8) and tied for first place. Kivisto added a 9.675, with Campbell right behind her with a 9.625. Mak had a season high 9.5.

Liao capped off her solid day with the title of all-around champion, scoring a 38.525. In second place, Brown's Jennifer Sobuta (37.95) just edged out Kivisto's 37.75.

"I'm so proud of the girls," said Head Coach Barbara Tonry. "At the beginning of the season I was so worried about the numbers, but I've gotten more and more excited the past few weeks, thinking we had a chance at Ivies. And we did well, too, it's just that Cornell did even better."

The Bulldogs have next weekend off. On Friday, March 7, they will be traveling to Rhode Island for a tri-meet with MIT. Competition starts at 1pm.

Report filed by Cathy Jan '09, Yale Sports Publicity