To this date, UF hasn’t won a dual meet in Tuscaloosa since 1979.

“It was not our best competition,” coach Rhonda Faehn said. “It certainly wasn’t the same energy or the same execution as last week. We were a little bit flatter and a little bit more sluggish, but there were definitely some great areas, some great things.” 

While the team score of 196.90 is the second-highest total for Florida this season, behind last week’s nation-leading 197.775 against top-ranked Arkansas, No. 24 Maryland and Bridgeport, UF couldn’t match the intensity of an Alabama team that was firing on all cylinders. 

The Crimson Tide, the No. 1 vault team in the country with a 49.333 average, began the meet on vault, while Florida took uneven bars. A 10 by Alabama’s Diandra Milliner helped propel the Tide to an early 49.600-49.225 lead after the first rotation. 

From that point on, Florida struggled to eliminate the deficit, as the Tide only added to its advantage throughout the remainder of the meet.  

“Alabama did a great job tonight; there’s no doubt about that,” Faehn said. "They’re obviously a very strong vault team. That was fortunate for them that they started off on a strong event for them, and it helped carry the momentum.”

Although Florida suffered its first loss of the season, two UF gymnasts picked up at least a share of two individual titles Friday. 

Scoring a 9.9, sophomore Mackenzie Caquatto won her second consecutive bars title, while junior Ashanée Dickerson won balance beam in a four-way tie with three other Alabama gymnasts at 9.9. 

Freshman Kytra Hunter scored a 39.45 to share second place in the all-around category with the Crimson Tide’s Ashley Sledge. Sophomore Alaina Johnson came in third with an all-around total of 39.375. 

Alabama’s Ashley Priess claimed the all-around title with a 39.55. 

While UF didn’t appear shaken or rattled by an intimidating Coleman Coliseum crowd of 12,457, Faehn said she thought her team looked a little tired Friday night. 

“It’s a tough environment,” Faehn said. “I’m proud of the way they competed. They’re excited to get back in the gym to make the corrections of little things we did [Friday night] that we know we could do a lot better.”