Florida ended the 2013 season in Los Angeles ranked No. 1 in the country after finishing .200 points better than Oklahoma in the NCAA Super Six.
On Saturday night at 10 p.m., the Gators will begin the 2014 season in Los Angeles, still ranked No. 1.
The Gators have fond memories of the Pauley Pavilion, where they will compete against UCLA after walking off the floor as national champions.
Coach Rhonda Faehn is no stranger to the arena.
A UCLA graduate, Faehn competed with the Bruins gymnastics team from 1990 to 1992. She served as a student assistant for two years after until she graduated from the university in 1994.
"It always great to be able to go back to the school that I attended and see a lot of former teammates and coaches," Faehn said.
Faehn will reunite with Valorie Kondos Field, her former coach who has been coaching the Bruins since 1991.
Though the Bruins and Gators are not strangers, this is their first dual meet since 2005. UF last competed against UCLA, among other teams, in the NCAA finals. The Bruins placed fourth in the Super Six, while the Gators landed in first place.
"I think that this team definitely has gained a lot of confidence from their experience last year and last season," Faehn said.
Freshmen Claire Boyce and Silvia Colussi-Paleaz may not have the confidence that comes with winning a national championship, but Faehn said they are ready to compete.
"We really just try and put them in as many pressure situations as possible," Faehn said. "But nothing can prepare them for it, except for getting out there and competing. We really usually try and start them out a little slower and not overwhelm them so that they can gain confidence little bit by little bit."
Boyce will likely compete in two or three events, Faehn said at practice Tuesday.
"She has always been exceptional in being consistent," Faehn said. "I see her as a great, solid, calm competitor. Hopefully we’ll see that throughout the season with her."
Colussi-Paleaz will possibly compete in two events. Faehn added that if the two do not compete in Los Angeles, they will definitely exhibition their routines to gain much-needed collegiate gymnastics experience.
Sophomore Bridget Sloan, junior Kytra Hunter and senior Mackenzie Caquatto will compete in all four events against UCLA, Faehn said.
Sloan set her career-best all around record last year with a 39.75 on March 1 against Minnesota — a performance she repeated twice more in 2013.
Also at Florida’s home meet against Minnesota, Hunter set a career and UF record of 39.8 in all-around. Caquatto did not compete as an all-arounder at any of the Gators’ regular season or postseason meets in 2013.
"It’s just a start," Faehn said of the opener. "It’s an opportunity for our athletes to gain experience, try new routines and just to get out there and get it going."
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Bridget Sloan performs on vault during Florida’s win against Kentucky on Feb. 22, 2013. Florida opens the season against UCLA in Los Angeles on Saturday.
