Despite suffering its second Ivy League loss of the season last weekend at Yale, the Penn gymnastics team feels optimistic about the future as they improve at a steady pace.
In the victory, the Elis (2-1) racked up 190.725 points to outmatch the Quakers' total of 186.550.
However, the defeat was not taken without a legitimate fight, as the Quakers (0-2) score was bolstered by several career-high performances.
In Penn's star performance of the day, sophomore Christy Green, pulled off a personal best 38.15 in the all-around competition, placing first amidst a field of formidable opponents.
"I felt like I was able to hit every event," Green said. "That's something that I've been working on. Overall, I was really happy with my performance."
Green was also impressed by the accomplishments of the rest of her teammates.
"This was definitely our best performance this year," Green said. "We were able to improve on everything."
These improvements included a host of career and season bests.
Three Quakers placed in the top-five in the vault competition.
In only her third collegiate appearance, freshman Laura Bouchelle continued to dominate in the vault and posted her second, consecutive, 9.7, and thereby capturing first place.
Not far behind Bouchelle in the vault competition was Green, who placed second with a 9.675, and sophomore Cassandra Pare, who landed at fourth with a career-best 9.625.
Senior co-captain Lauren Hittner drew a season best 9.725 on the beam -- locking her in for second-place in the event.
Junior Cristina Muresanu landed a career high 9.50 on the uneven bars to place her third in the competition.
Leah Moon made her contribution to the rookie campaign as she notched a career-high of 9.525 on the floor exercise.
"We've seen a steady increase in success," coach Tom Kovic said. "We're facing more of a mental battle than anything else, and we are making strides in the right direction. We've got kids becoming more consistent as their confidence is continuing to grow."
The Red and Blue are now preparing to take on Brown on Feb. 2.
The competition to be held at Hutchinson Gymnasium will be the Quakers' first home meet this season.
The squad is anxious to test the waters in familiar territory.
"It makes a huge difference when you're competing on your own apparatus in your own gym," Kovic said. "And you've slept in your own bed."
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