Despite a sixth straight loss to start the season, Ball State University coach Nadalie Walsh was happy with the performance of her team Saturday at the No. 13 University of Denver.
The Cardinals dropped a 195.125 to 189.250 decision in the non-conference meet, setting a new season high for points.
"They had a really good meet," Walsh said. "... We had some girls that did really awesome."
The beam was the one event the Cardinals beat Denver in as they scored a season-high 48.050. Newcomer Katelyn Busacker's team-high score of 9.700, tying with Kristin Sprague, on the beam contributed to the season high in the event.
"I wanted to go out there and show them what I can do," she said. "... It was amazing. I did my job. It was no different than what I knew I could do."
Busacker enrolled at Ball State in January and Saturday was her first opportunity to perform in a meet. She said because the meet was in Denver her parents were able to drive up from Nebraska to see her perform.
Other players performed for Ball State for the first time against Denver and they also did well. Ashley Jacob led the Cardinals with a 9.750 on the bars, and Allyson McGaha scored 9.600 on the bars.
Senior co-captain Erica Gilkerson led the team in the vault and floor. Gilkerson said she was helped by the more than 1,100 people in attendance.
"It was actually a lot of fun," she said. "There were a lot [of] fans there just appreciating both teams, cheering for everybody."
Despite all the positives Walsh said her team's work isn't done.
"It may have been a season high but these girls are capable of so much more," she said. "I think slowly over each meet we are going to get better."
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