1/21/22 WGY vs Kentucky
Alabama gymnast Lily Hudson
Photo by UA Athletics
By: McKalyn Crabtree
The Alabama Crimson Tide is on a three-game winning steaking after a tough start to the season.
Now, the Tide travels to Baton Rouge for a top 10 showdown against the No. 5 LSU Tigers.
Alabama is 0-3 against top ten teams this season, so can the Tide pull off the upset?
The Tigers are coming off a close loss at Florida and will be looking for redemption at home.
They currently rank No. 3 in vault, bars and beam, while being No. 8 on the floor. Kiya Johnson, Haleigh
Bryant and Alyona Shchennikova are just a few athletes to watch. It will be an exciting meet to
watch between Bryant and Shallon Olsen on the vault as both athletes have scored 9.900 or
above the past two weeks.
The Crimson Tide can take advantage on the floor with the reigning 2021 NCAA Floor
Champion, Lexie Graber. Graber has scored above 9.900 since week two. Since week two, Lily
Hudson has scored above 9.900 and named the SEC the Freshman Gymnast of the week after
winning the floor exercise against Georgia with a 9.950, marking her career-best. This is
Hudson’s second time this season to be recognized by the SEC, with the first coming after the
win against Kentucky.
Alabama hopes to have Makarri Doggette return to the lineup after suffering a sprain last week.
Alabama head coach Dana Duckworth said they would take it day by day and see if she would be
ready for an event. LSU prides itself on the uneven bars, so it will be crucial for the team to step
up on the event if Doggette cannot compete.
Alabama will get another primetime treatment as the match will air Friday on ESPN at 8 p.m.
Another chance for the Crimson Tide to pull off the upset on Friday Night Heights.
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