Feb. 23, 2007

PITTSBURGH - The Panthers take on first-place MAC team, Kent State tonight in Ohio. The Panthers (6-4, 3-1 EAGL), are looking to add another win to their season despite their last two loses to Penn State and Ohio State. The No. 23 Golden Flashes (7-2, 4-0 MAC) are fresh off a win at Bowling Green. Kent State leads the series against Pitt, 15-7, narrowly winning the last meet between the teams 196.475 to 194.650. This is the first time that the two teams will meet since 2004, and Kent State is the first of two MAC teams the Panthers will face this season.

The Panthers will feature two all-around competitors this weekend. Senior co-captain Andrea Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest) looks to top her fourth-place finish last week in the all-around against Ohio State. Competing for her first time as an all-arounder will be freshman Jessica Byich (Nicktown, Pa./Bishop Carroll). Byich had a successful meet last week against Ohio State, setting a career high on the floor exercise with a 9.725. Also competing on all four events will be freshman Shannon McConnell (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny). McConnell will compete in both the uneven bars and the balance beam as exhibition events, serving as good experience for the newcomer who is a potential all-arounder this season.

Panther fans have come to expect big things on the vault from freshman Dani Bryan (Germantown, Md./Northwest). Last week against Ohio State Bryan led the team with her second-place finish and a career-high score of 9.875. Bryan's continued high scores have helped the Panthers score above a 48.00 each meet in this event. A leader for the Panthers on the uneven bars and the balance beam will be Samantha DeBone (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield). DeBone tied for fourth with a 9.750 on the uneven bars and was Pitt's top scorer on the beam with a 9.550 against Ohio State. Also featured on bars will be Arlotta, who tied for second last week with a 9.775. Also competing for the Panthers on the beam will be Anya Chayka (Germantown, Md./Richard Montgomery), who continues to be a strong competitor in this event. The Panther's floor exercise lineup will work to hit all routines again this weekend. Last week the team scored a season-high score of 48.750 and promises tough competition for the Golden Flashes.

The meet is scheduled for 7 p.m., in the M.A.C Center on Kent State's campus.