IRVINE, Calif. -- Vanguard STUNT hosted both the University of Kentucky and Concordia Irvine on Wednesday on the campus of CUI.  The Lions could not take down UK, who won 21-8.  But the match against the Golden Eagles produced the first overtime match in program history and VU edged out the Golden Eagles 19-18.  VU goes to 10-5, UK improves to 13-5, and CUI drops to 9-6.
 
What Happened?  The Lions celebrated the five seniors on the team before the match, as the program gave its thanks to Brenna Higdon, Ashlee Hildeman, Rebecca Im, Tatum Thompson, and Graysen Young.  After that, the Blue and Gold squared off against the Wildcats and UK had the better run throughout the first three quarters.  Kentucky scored on every routine over the first quarter of partner stunts, the second quarter of pyramids and tosses, and the third frame of jumps and tumbling.  VU nicked three points over that stretch, with one point coming in the first period and the other two being earned in the third frame.  Vanguard trailed 12-4 entering the fourth quarter but the squad raised its level of play during the combined routines.  VU was awarded five points over the four acts in the final quarter, but it was not enough, as Kentucky won the fourth 10-5 to claim a 21-8 victory.

For Vanguard, the highest-rated player was Brenna Higdon, while Tenley Romberger was the best-rated tumbler and Grace Hartanov was the highest-rated stunter
 
However, the best match of the night came after the Wildcats defeated CUI.
 
The Lions and the Golden Eagles engaged in a textbook nail-biter, as after the Lions grabbed the first point of the match, CUI concluded the first quarter with two points to lead 2-1 at the end of partner stunts.  Vanguard equaled CUI in the second frame of pyramids and tosses, as each team scored three points to put the halftime score at 5-4 in favor of the Golden Eagles.  The Lions used their skill in the third quarter of jumps and tumbling to leap into the lead, as the Blue and Gold won the period 3-1 to snag a 7-6 edge.  That put everything on the line in the fourth frame and VU took the first act 2-1.  CUI took the second routine 2-1 and then the third routine 3-2 to level the score at 12-12.  The fourth and final routine was clinical from each side, and though it was initially adjudicated to favor CUI, after a review, the two teams split the points to remain tied, moving the contest to overtime.
 
In STUNT OT, the two programs perform one fourth-quarter routine, starting with a low routine number (one of the easier acts).  If the programs stay tied, they move up to the next routine level, until there is a winner.
 
CUI and Vanguard started on routine number three and after it was over, the judges gave both teams two points, forcing another round.  Routine four looked indecisive again, but the judges decided that VU had the better performance in the final portion of the routine and gave the Lions the third and final point that was on offer to give the Blue and Gold a 19-18 victory.

In the win, Graysen Young was annointed as the highest-rated player for VU, Isabella Lonog named the stunter of the match for the Blue and Gold, and Alexis Jimenez tabbed as the tumbler of the contest for the Lions.
 
 
What was Said?  "The Lions pulled through tonight.  They showed up at the right time, played CUI hard, and I'm very proud of them tonight," said Head Coach Leslie Allen.
 
What's Next?  The Lions will return to CUI to take on the Golden Eagles next Tuesday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m., in what should be a thrilling rematch.