MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Despite tallying a season-high total on vault, the West Virginia University gymnastics team dropped a dual meet against Big 12 Conference foe Iowa State, 195.375-194.175, inside the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Mountaineers tallied scores of 48.9 on vault, 47.925 on the uneven bars, 48.425 on balance beam and 48.925 on floor exercise. Of note, the team's total on vault marked a season high, as WVU bested its previous season best by three-tenths.
 
WVU started strong on vault after struggling on the event in previous meets. The lineup was led by a career-high 9.85 from freshman Karleigh DiCello, which matched the Mountaineers' highest score on the event this season. Classmate Sophia Rice was just behind DiCello with a 9.8, which was followed by a pair of 9.775's from freshmen Taylor Tuohy and Emerson Smith. Junior Carlee Nelson added a season-best 9.7 to complete the scoring.
 
On bars, fifth-year senior Trinity Macy once again led the lineup with a 9.725. Senior Anna Leigh and sophomore Jayden McDonnell tallied matching 9.7's, which matched a season best for McDonnell. Senior Brooke Alban added a 9.625, before WVU was unfortunately forced to count a fall toward their final score. Sophomore Julia Brown and freshman Kaelyn Skeel were called upon to make their career debuts on the event, earning a 9.175 and an 8.65, respectively.
 
West Virginia hit all six routines on beam for the second straight meet, led by a 9.775 from Brown. DiCello added a 9.7, followed by a trio of 9.65's from Leigh and sophomores Kaylei Adams and Amber Lowe to round out the rotation.
 
Capping the meet on floor, four gymnasts earned a 9.8 or higher, led by Leigh's 9.85. Smith tallied her second straight 9.825 on the event, while Alban and freshman Riley Maness each earned a 9.8. Freshman Taylor Tuohy scored a 9.65 to complete the meet for the Mountaineers.
 
In the final event standings, DiCello finished first place on vault, followed by Rice in third. Brown tied for third place on beam, while Leigh placed second and Smith tied for third on floor.
 
West Virginia now heads back out on the road when it makes the trek to Provo, Utah, for a Big 12 Conference dual meet at BYU on Friday, Feb. 14. Competition inside the Marriott Center is tabbed for 9 p.m. ET.
 
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