Florida has not lost to Auburn in a decade — an impressive reign that will be tested tonight at 8 in UF’s Southeastern Conference opener in Auburn, Ala.
“I just really want our team to go out there and continue to improve, especially on the mistakes that we made last week,” coach Rhonda Faehn said.
She added that she was unaware it had been so long since UF last lost to Auburn.
Florida fell from No. 1 to a tie for No. 4 after barely escaping UCLA with a victory. But the Gators were not the only team to take a tumble. Auburn fell from No. 13 to No. 18 after defeating unranked Texas Woman’s 194.875-189.825.
But the win did not come without consequences.
Senior Mackenzie Caquatto’s place in the lineup is also in question after posting a career low of 8.40 on floor against the Bruins. This was the first time Caquatto scored below a 9.00 in nearly four years at UF.
Caquatto knew she had a rough night and apologized to Faehn immediately after Saturday’s meet.
“She texted me right away after the meet that night and said ‘I’m really sorry; won’t happen again,’” Faehn said. “And I’m like, ‘Listen, you’re human. We’re going to get there. Don’t worry.”
Faehn said Tuesday she would like to see Caquatto compete as an all-arounder at Auburn, but Faehn had not made a final decision because she had not had a chance to evaluate Caquatto since the team returned from California.
“I know she wants to,” Faehn said of Caquatto competing tonight.
Auburn may not get to see Caquatto compete all-around, but the Tigers will be the second team ever to get a look at sophomore Morgan Frazier. Faehn plans to have Frazier exhibition a vault routine against the Tigers.
After enrolling at UF late in Spring 2013, Frazier never once competed with the Gators but did exhibition her vault routine in a Jan. 8, 2013, meet against Missouri.
Kytra Hunter, who was honored as SEC Co-Gymnast of the Week after winning all-around with a score of 39.375 against UCLA, will likely lead Florida’s all-around effort against Auburn.
Beyond a few individual let downs at UCLA, Faehn is also looking to improve her squad’s energy on the road.
“To compete aggressively again on the road, we have to really create the energy ourselves and I think that we were a little lacking in some of that energy,” Faehn said.
“We really need to be a little bit louder in that sense.”
It’s been five years since the Gators opened their season on the road and 11 years since they began a season with to back-to-back road meets. Faehn said she’s eager to debut her 2014 squad in the O’Connell Center on Jan. 24 against Georgia.
“Oh, I can’t wait to be back into the O’Dome,” Faehn said.
“We’re so used to starting here, in the O’Dome … and to have two on the road in the beginning it’s fine.
“It’s how the schedule is, but I’m looking forward to getting back here.”
Follow Erica A. Hernandez on Twitter @EricaAlyssa
Kytra Hunter performs a floor routine during the NCAA Regionals on April 6, 2013, in the O’Connell Center.
