Huskers Head East for Matchup with Penn State

No. 29 Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-1, 0-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 28 Penn State Nittany Lions (0-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Saturday, Jan. 23, 1:00 p.m. CT -- University Park, Pa. (Rec Hall)
Live Scores: GoPSUSports.com
Stream: BTN+ (Paid Subscription)

Lincoln, Neb. -- The Nebraska women's gymnastics team will travel to University Park, Pa. for a Big Ten Conference dual with Penn State. The Huskers and Nittany Lions are seeking their first win of the season. The meet will be streamed on BTN+.

The Huskers last faced off with Illinois at home on Jan. 15. NU received strong performances from its young roster, but fell to the Fighting Illini by a score of 195.475-193.400. Freshman Chloe Lorange took home the all-around title for the Huskers, while senior Kynsee Roby won the balance beam event title. 

Penn State is coming off a loss at home against Maryland by a score of 194.875-193.875. The Nittany Lions look to defend Rec Hall with a win against the Huskers.

While Nebraska and Penn State battled Big Ten opponents last week, this serves as both team's first conference meet due to the 2021 Big Ten schedule arrangements.

Nebraska's youth throughout last week's lineup shows the amount of depth the program has and its bright future. Three freshmen, Lorange, Kinsey Davis and Danielle Press made their collegiate debuts last week.

Following the Huskers' meet against Penn State, Nebraska will head to East Lansing, Mich. for a road matchup against Michigan State on Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. CT. 

Fans can follow the Huskers on Twitter at @HuskersWGym, Instagram at @HuskersWGymnastics and Facebook at facebook.com/NebraskaWGym.

Notes:

SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters this meet as the No. 28 ranked program in the nation, according to the Road To Nationals rankings. The Nittany Lions dropped their season-opener against Maryland by a score of 194.875-193.975.

NEBRASKA ENTERS WEEK TWO RANKED NO. 29
The Huskers enter this meet with Penn State as the No. 29 ranked program in the country, according to the Road To Nationals rankings. NU looks to improve its ranking by eliminating mistakes and improving on the foundation the team set last week.

ROBY RANKED NO. 15 ON BALANCE BEAM
Senior Kynsee Roby, following her stellar balance beam performance against Illinois, ranks 15th in the country on the apparatus. Roby won the event title against the Fighting Illini, and will look to build upon the momentum she gained last week.

YOUTH SHINES FOR NU EARLY IN SEASON
Nebraska's freshmen performed well last week, and the Huskers will rely on them to continue their development against Penn State. Chloe Lorange took home the all-around title against the Fighting Illini, while Kinsey Davis and Danielle Press provided crucial depth for NU.

NU RANKED THIRD IN BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
The Huskers enter the 2021 season as the No. 3 ranked team in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches' Poll. Michigan and Minnesota claimed the top two spots in the poll, while Iowa and Illinois round out the top five. 

BIG TEN SCHEDULE IN 2021
The Big Ten Conference announced that its members will participate in a conference-only regular season. Week one of the season for Nebraska will serve as a non-conference meet against Big Ten foe Illinois. Weeks 2-7 will serve as the Big Ten regular season, with the Big Ten regular season champion being crowned at the Big Five meet. Weeks eight and nine include non-conference meets against Big Ten opponents. 

ROBY, DAVIS NAMED GYMNASTS TO WATCH
The conference announced that senior Kynsee Roby and freshman Kinsey Davis were selected as Nebraska's Big Ten Women's Gymnasts to Watch for the 2021 season. 

UP NEXT
The Huskers travel to East Lansing, Mich. for another Big Ten Conference matchup with Michigan State. NU and MSU face off on Jan. 30 at 1 p.m.

ROSTER OUTLOOK
The Huskers welcome back three seniors for the 2021 season. Makayla Curtis, Anika Dujakovich and Kynsee Roby will serve as veteran leaders for the program. The lone junior on the Huskers' squad is newcomer Kaitlyn Higgins, who started her career at Minnesota and will add depth for NU on beam and floor.

Nebraska's sophomore class consists of Clara Colombo, Kathryn Thaler and Kylie Piringer. Piringer looks to build upon the strong foundation she set during her freshman campaign after being named a second team All-Big Ten selection following the 2020 season. Head coach Heather Brink also welcomes six freshmen, Martina Comin, Kinsey Davis, Joanne De Jesus-Cortes, Chloé Lorange, Danielle Press and Caroline Williams.

HUSKERS INTRODUCE FIVE 2021 SIGNEES
Head Coach Heather Brink announced the signing of five future Husker gymnasts joining the 2021 women's gymnastics signing class. Ayzhia Hall (Fayetteville, AR), Emma Simpton (Dallas, Texas), Halle Rourke (Waverly, Neb.), Savanah Warren (Parker, CO) and Emma Spence (Cambridge, Ontario) will join NU's program for the 2021-22 season. 

CORNHUSKERS REPRESENT ACROSS UNITED STATES AND BEYOND
Nebraska features gymnasts from six states:  Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, New Jersey and Texas. The Huskers also feature three international gymnasts, Clara Colombo and Martina Comin of Italy and Chloé Lorange of Canada.