The NIU women’s gymnastics team fell to the Ball State University Cardinals 195.100 to 194.050 Friday at the Convocation Center in DeKalb.

How it happened

The Huskies had a solid night on vault as senior Gabby Welch took second with a 9.825 and freshman Isabella Sissi took third with a 9.775.

Junior Natalie Hamp took first on the uneven parallel bars with a 9.800 and junior Brookelyn Sears took third with a 9.775.

Senior Morgan Hooper finished in a three-way tie for first place on balance beam with a 9.850, along with BSU senior Lauren Volpe and BSU junior Taylor Waldo.

Senior Tara Kofmehl dominated on the floor exercise, taking home first with a 9.875.

In the all around, Hooper finished first with a 38.850 and Sears followed closely behind with a 38.350 for third.

Thoughts from coach Morreale

Coach Morreale’s thoughts on the meet:

“We started really well on vault, had a great vault run,” head coach Sam Morreale said. “The first two routines on bars were uncharacteristic for us, but the next four up did a great job. If we hit bars, we’re in the meet. Beam did a good job, floor was solid, but it’s hard to come back. Tonight was a bump in the road, we have three road meets left where we can create what we want this season to be.”

The end result

With the loss, the Huskies fall to 9-6 overall and 2-2 in Mid-American Conference action.

The Huskies will be back in action on March 4 at 7 p.m. when they take on the University of Illinois, Boise State University and Central Michigan University in a quad meet in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.