A second-place finish at the Western Athletic Conference Championships capped the 2009 season for Sacramento State’s women’s gymnastics team. The 2010 season opened with the Hornet Flipfest on Dec. 4.

The Hornet Flipfest, hosted by Sac State, consisted of four events: The uneven parallel bars, balance beam, floor exercise and vault. It was a scrimmage and a dual event in which the women were split in two teams to compete against each other.

Gymnastics assistant coach Randy Solorio said he was pleased with the event’s turnout.

“This event was awesome. I think it was a good way to showcase the women’s talent thus far,” he said.

Head coach Kim Hughes said the event was a good way for the freshmen to display their talent.

He also said he is looking forward to the returning players.

“We are excited about the experience we are bringing to this season,” Hughes said.

Sac State has six seniors and five juniors returning to the team.

“I feel this team is just as good as last year, if not better,” Hughes said. “We can start out the season very strong, but it depends obviously on what our opponents are doing, at the same time.”

Senior Traci Takeda said the Hornet Flipfest is a good way to prepare for the team’s conference competitions in the spring.

The team, however, is dealing with a few injuries.

Lissa Zamolo is on crutches due to stress fracture in her lower leg; Amanda Bieber has a broken foot; as does April Gemein. Though the injuries will heal, there is concern over how quickly they will heal and how quickly the women can get back in shape to be productive members of the team.

“We lost two of our top vaulters because of the injuries, so that is one of our major weaknesses,” Hughes said. “Our strength is the depth of the team. We have a lot of depth.”

Senior Eryn Stubblefield said the team is using its past success as motivation to push even harder to reclaim the conference title.

“My freshman year we won the WAC championship, but we have not been able to win since then,” Stubblefield said. “We have grown and improved as a team so much in the last few years. Hopefully this year we take all of our past success and our growth and improvements and come home with a win.”

The team’s performances in the past seasons have been solid all-around, and now with a veteran team, the performance is only expected to get better.

Hughes said with such an experienced team, the freshmen have an advantage because there are so many people to look up to.

Takeda said she understands she needs to be one of the team’s leaders this season.

“This year, I definitely bring the team experience,” Takeda said. “Going by previous seasons, learning what to do and what not to do can serve as a advantage for the team, especially with there being several of us who have been on the team for a few years and can provide assistance to the younger players.”

Takeda was the leadoff gymnast for the Hornets in 2008.

In 2009 Takeda qualified for the NCAA West Regional as a beam specialist and also earned second team all-conference honors.

Stubblefield said she gets nervous before every event, but that nervousness mixed with excitement is what motivates her.

Hughes said she is an important piece to the team.

“I would say our senior all-around gymnast, Stubblefield, is our returning strongest gymnast and key player on the team thus far,” Hughes said.

“She had been an all-around competitor all four years, she has learned many new skills and she performs really well.”

Stubblefield said she has set some high goals this season for herself and the team.

“We want to win our championship, and I believe everybody is prepared, more confident and motivated,” Stubblefield said. “Personally I would like to make it to nationals this year as an all-arounder. I know it is going to be hard but I am going to try.”

This season’s WAC Championship is in Fullerton, Calif., on March 27. Sac State has 10 events to prepare for the conference championship.

“This season you can expect a more stronger and fitter team, and I am expecting them to start off the season with stronger performances earlier on in the season,” Hughes said.

Sac State officially opens its season on Jan. 15 against Boise State and San Jose State in Reno, Nev.