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After a shaky start to its season, the UCLA gymnastics team has regained its swagger and is beginning to resemble the team that was heavily favored to win the national championship early in the year.

Following three consecutive road meets, during which the Bruins reasserted their dominance with two impressive victories, No. 6 UCLA (2-2) is back home to take on No. 19 Arizona State (3-1) and Cal State Fullerton (1-2) in a triangular meet this Sunday at 2 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion.

“It’s good to be back home and have home-court advantage,” senior Jeanette Antolin said.  “We’re more confident, and we’re going to keep on building (on our success).”

Arizona State is led by All-American senior Maggie Germaine, who has yet to regain her form from last year due to ankle problems. 

Last year’s dual meet between the Bruins and Sun Devils in Tempe saw UCLA edge out a victory by a score of 198.4-198.15. UCLA has won the last six meetings between the two teams and maintains a 34-22 overall record.

On the other side, Cal State Fullerton is led by freshman Nicole Lim, who is coming off of her best performance of the year: winning the all-around title in the Titans’ last meet. 

UCLA won last year’s two meetings against Cal State Fullerton, including their dual meet at Titan Gym by a score of 194.1-193.9.  Overall, the Bruins hold a 38-24 record over the Titans.

“We’re at our best with what we’ve got right now,” coach Valorie Kondos Field said. “The season is going better than I planned it to, and we’re coming along quicker than I thought we would.

“It’s nice that we’re home for two weeks. I’m looking forward to our fans seeing our full potential.”

To lure fans to the match despite the meet’s inauspicious timing (it coincides with the Super Bowl), UCLA dubbed this Sunday’s meet “Soup’er Bowl Sunday.”  Fans who bring a canned food donation will receive one free general admission ticket.