Michigan Fine Tunes Routines Ahead of NCAA Regional
3/30/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 30, 2017
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A weekend off has given the University of Michigan women's gymnastics team an opportunity to rest and to work on the little details to improve routines for the NCAA Regional on Saturday (April 1) in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The Wolverines had a weekend off for the first time since the season started in early January. It came at a much needed time after giving it their all to win the program's 23rd Big Ten championship on March 18.
"They gave everything at Big Tens, and were physically and emotionally spent for a couple of days after that," said head coach Bev Plocki. "We did treatment and recovery on the Monday after that and then gave them the weekend off."
The extra week of preparation before the NCAA Regional allowed Michigan to focus on some of the little things with its choreography before ramping back up into working on some of the bigger skills before heading off for Morgantown.
"We focused on dotting our I's and crossing our T's," said Plocki. "When you are working so much on big skills and sticking dismounts, some of those little details can fall through the cracks."
The Wolverines will have a practice day at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. It gives them a chance to get used to the equipment and surroundings and make adjustments for the competition on Saturday.
Plocki, however, is very familiar with both the WVU Coliseum and Morgantown. Not only has she taken the 2010 and 2013 teams to NCAA Regionals held there, but she also spent her college days there as well. She competed as a gymnast for the Mountaineers and earned her degree in physical education from WVU in 1987.
"It is a feeling of comfort," said Plocki. "I know what to expect. I know what the arena is like. For me, there is a higher level of comfort which breeds confidence.
Plocki is hoping that comfort and confidence carry over to her team. She likes the fact that they will end the meet on floor exercise, knowing what they will need to do to advance to the NCAA Championship.
This season the Wolverines are ranked tied for fifth nationally on floor with a RQS (Regional Qualifying Score) of 49.440. U-M twice scored a 49.600 or better this season, posting a 49.625 vs. Oklahoma. All six gymnasts scored a 9.900 or better on floor against Southern Utah.
"If we have an attainable goal, I think it will be energizing and positive for our team," said Plocki. "The format is set up for us to finish strong. We are coming here with the goal of winning the region and advancing to nationals."
The top two teams in each of the six NCAA Regionals will advance to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Missouri, April 14-15. Michigan is looking to advance for the 23rd time in school history.
