The long bus ride home was made better Saturday night for the women’s gymnastics team after their win over No. 25 Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. The Illini improved to 9-4 on the season after they beat the Spartans 194.200 to 193.275.

It was the first Big Ten victory of the season for the Illini and snapped a two-meet losing streak in dual meets.

“We went in, and we had some goals and we accomplished pretty much all of them,” said head coach Bob Starkell. “We feel a little better about this win because it’s on the road against a Big Ten team.”

The team had great performances in all aspects of the meet, winning the all-around title and three event titles. Senior Ashley Williams took home the all-around title with a score of 38.9000 after stepping in for senior Lauren Newcomb.

“It wasn’t surprising,” Starkell said. “Ashley has the potential to be a top all-arounder. She did a great job; she put forth a great effort.”

Newcomb won the vault title with a score of 9.750, which was key since the vault has been a weak event for the team.

“When [Newcomb] gets completely healthy, it will give us a great advantage of putting two good all-arounders out there,” Starkell said.

Sophomore Cara Pomeroy won the bars title for a second straight week with a score of 9.875. Redshirt senior captain Kara Kapernekas won the individual beam title with a score of 9.800.

“Both [of them] had a good meet,” Starkell said. “These two individuals we look for week in and week out to have these kind of performances. I think they’re just starting to feel comfortable with what they’re doing.”

They received plenty of support from the rest of the team as the Illini posted the highest three scores on bars, with Williams and freshman Krystal Melcarek finishing second and third. Sophomore Danyelle Botterman finished right behind Newcomb to tie for second on vault. Senior Margaret Dann placed second on the beam, while junior Katie Wild and Kapernekas tied for second on floor.

“We’ve been practicing hard, but it really helps on a road meet when you have our upperclassmen,” Starkell said. “They’ve been used to it, and they don’t feel the pressure, which flows down to the underclassmen, and the team was pretty comfortable even though they weren’t in their own gym.”

The victory comes right before a quad meet in Denton, Texas, where the Illini will take on Air Force, Centenary and host Texas Women’s University.

“The team has to use this victory as an advantage and a learning tool for the postseason,” Starkell said. “Hopefully, we’re at a time now where the team is hitting its stride and will carry this into the postseason.”