DENTON, Texas (Jan. 12, 2017) - The defending USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions opened the 2018 season with the highest team score in a season opener in program history as Texas Woman's University defeated Lindenwood 193.525-191.625 Friday night inside Kitty Magee Arena.
 
The previous team-high home opener score was set during the 2013 season when the Pioneers recorded a 191.800 at Bowling Green. The 2018 opening victory over Lindenwood marked the first win to open a season since 2015 when TWU began with a win at Centenary.
 
The Pioneers outscored the Lions on vault (48.750-48.700), bars (48.075-47.600), and floor (48.825-47.425), while LU narrowly won beam (47.900-47.875). TWU gymnasts placed first in each event with Schyler Jones taking the all-around title (39.050) with victories in vault (9.875), floor (9.875), and a tie in beam (9.775). Morgan Colee performed in her first competition with the Pioneers and shared first place with Bria Northrop as both gymnasts scored a 9.675 on bars.
 
The evening began for the Pioneers with Colee vaulting to a 9.625, followed by Erin Alderman (9.650), Megan Gentry (9.725), Mallory Moredock (9.725), Brandi Lazarus (9.750), and the event-high from Jones (9.875).
 
Abigail Versemann started off the second rotation for TWU on bars with a 9.625, as Colee (9.625), Hunter Vincent (9.050), Northrop (9.675), Jones (9.525), and Alyssa Kelly (9.575) also competed.
 
On beam, Lazarus began with an 8.900, followed by Alderman (9.700), Moredock (9.125), Taylor Vincent (9.575), Kelly (9.700), and Jones (9.775).
 
TWU finished strong on floor beginning with a 9.675 by Versemann. Next up was Colee (9.675), then Moredock (9.850), Alderman (9.750), Jones (9.875), and Bridgette Peterson's notched a 9.650 in her TWU debut.
 
Head Coach Lisa Bowerman said, "I am so incredibly proud of this team and the way they competed tonight. They came in with energy and passion and carried it throughout the entire day.
 
"It was exciting to see some upperclassmen in new lineups and to know there is still so much we can add to our depth as the year goes on. Tonight laid a great foundation for the year, and we are looking forward to building on it."
 
The Pioneers travel to NCAA defending champion Oklahoma Jan. 21 for a dual meet.