PHILADELPHIA -- The Temple women's gymnastics team suffered a 189.500-188.600 loss at city rival Penn in a dual meet a Hutchinson Gymnasium Wednesday evening. Senior Alexis Zafferes posted a 9.725 on vault to give the Owls their only individual victory in a tightly fought contest.
Temple led after two rotations, winning bars with a 47.600 score and vault with a 47.425 effort to hold a 95.025-94.275 advantage at the meet's midpoint. Unfortunately for the Cherry & White, things played-out just as they had four days earlier, when the Quakers trailed early but rebounded on beam and floor to take a tri-meet victory at McGonigle Hall on February 5. This time, the Quakers outscored Temple 46.575-45.825 on beam and 48.650-47.750 on floor to earn their third win over the Owls this season.
Notable Temple performances belonged to senior Erin Davis, who placed second on bars with a 9.625 and senior Erika Messa, who finished fourth on floor with a 9.700. Kristen McRell and Jennifer Blatt provided the team's best scores on beam, each posting a 9.300 to finish tied for fifth in the event. The Owls did not field an all-around competitor.
Temple returns to action this Friday evening, February 11, at Maryland in a quad-meet also featuring Brockport and Rutgers in College Park.
