Jan. 12, 2012

LIKE! Maryland Athletics on Facebook

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland gymnastics team opens its home schedule against East Atlantic Gymnastics League rival Pittsburgh on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Comcast Center.

The Terrapins (0-2, 0-1 EAGL) scored a record 194.225 points in their season-opening tri-meet against No. 13 Penn State and West Virginia marking the best season-opening performance in Maryland history.

Junior Ally Krikorian and sophomore Katy Dodds set career highs on the beam and floor, respectively, while sophomore Karen Tang tied for first place on the bars earning EAGL Specialist of the Week honors for the performance.

Five Terps made their collegiate debut in Morgantown including Tang, sophomores Jessie Black and Ebony Walters, and freshmen Stephanie Giameo and Emily Heller.

Maryland has won 23 of the 42 meetings with Pittsburgh dating back to 1979.

Pittsburgh

The Panthers open their season on Friday. Head coach Debbie Yohman is in her 26th season at the school and has compiled 226-346-1 record.

Pittsburgh finished with a 4-17 record in 2011 and placed seventh at the EAGL Championships.

Senior Alicia Talucci is one of nine returning starters from last season. Talucci, the 2009 EAGL Rookie of the Year, earned EAGL first-team honors on beam in 2011 and placed fifth in the all-around at the 2010 EAGL Championships. The Coatesville, Pa., native is a two-time NCAA Regional qualifier.

Junior Alyssa Adrian qualified for the 2011 NCAA Regional Championships on bars and was named to the EAGL second-team.

Sophomore Katie O'Rourke placed fourth at the 2011 EAGL Championships on floor and earned EAGL All-Tournament first-team honors while being named to the EAGL second-team on vault.