LOS ANGELES – No. 12 Stanford delivered a season-best performance on vault but fell at No. 9 UCLA on Saturday, 196.900-196.250.
With UCLA (5-2, 5-1 Pac-12) holding a slight lead after the first rotation, the Cardinal (12-2, 4-2 Pac-12) went 49.350 on vault to take a 98.350-98.275 lead at the midway point of the meet.
Kristina Vaculik and Taylor Rice led the Cardinal on vault, both recording scores of 9.900 to finish tied for third. Danielle McNair and Rachel Daum had strong showings, finishing tied for fifth with a pair of 9.875. Melissa Chuang contributed Stanford’s fifth score, going 9.800.
Despite the season-best performance and claiming four of the top six spots in the event, the result wasn’t quite enough as UCLA passed the Cardinal in the third rotation and held on for the victory in the final event.
WATCH: Highlights from No. 12 Stanford at No. 9 UCLA
Stanford opened the competition on bars and recorded four scores of 9.800 or higher. Samantha Shapiro and Kristina Vaculik tied for the individual title with scores of 9.825. Danielle McNair and Nicolette McNair each scored 9.800 and Taylor Rice posted a 9.750.
After taking the lead after the second rotation, Stanford ran into a bit of adversity on floor. Shona Morgan led off with a 9.825 but a fall in the second position meant the Cardinal had little room for error the remainder of the event.
Pauline Hanset and Daum answered the challenge with back-to-back scores of 9.875 to finish tied for fourth place. Rice and Vaculik finished the event with scores of 9.725 and 9.675, respectively.
UCLA had a great night on beam and posted a 49.525 to regain the lead and hold a 147.800-147.325 advantage entering the final rotation.
Stanford notched three scores of 9.800 or higher to open its rotation on beam, beginning with a 9.825 from Morgan. Rebecca Wing and Nicolette McNair followed with a 9.800 and 9.850, respectively. Amanda Spinner concluded the competition with a 9.850 and Stanford finished with a 48.925 in the event.
The Cardinal will have an extended break before its next competition against No. 21 California on Monday, March 3, at 7 p.m. in Maples Pavilion. The event will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.