As the ASU gymnastics team heads to the Pacific Northwest this weekend, the Sun Devils appear to have a lot going for them and only minor details to address.
The team is oozing confidence after dismissing No. 11 UA at home on Sunday, 195.30-195.15, and jumped four spots in the national rankings to No. 13.
Competing through a few minor injuries and improving the floor exercise are top priorities as ASU faces Washington and Seattle Pacific in a triple-team meet at Washington tonight.
"Right now, I just want the kids to be very aggressive and stay confident," coach John Spini said. "Confidence is the uniqueness of our kids this season. I'm really pleased with what I'm seeing on their faces when they're competing. I have a lot of confidence in this team."
ASU's freshman duo of Tia Orlando and Nicole Harris likely will not perform the all-around at the same time for the second consecutive meet. Last week, sore shins forced Orlando to miss the floor exercise. Though Orlando likely will participate in all four events at Washington, Spini said Harris will likely miss the vault and possibly the floor this weekend due to a sore ankle.
Also in question is the status of senior co-captain Lauren Powell, who was shaken up during a minor car accident Wednesday morning.
"We won't figure out our lineup until we get to Washington and go through warm-ups before the meet," Spini said.
Unlike last week, the Sun Devils will not face very stiff competition, as both Washington and Seattle Pacific are unranked. The Sun Devils know another pair of wins would put them at 4-0 and keep the talented, but young, team holding its heads high. Exactly half of ASU's roster is made up of freshmen.
"The more wins we get in a row, the more [the freshmen] are going to see how good we are, and its just going to keep building," senior Ashley Kelly said.
Reach the reporter at christopher.drexel@asu.edu.
