A team can only succeed with the cooperation of all its members.

The women's gymnastics team learned that lesson the hard way.

Last year the team suffered internal strife; some of the gymnasts were more concerned with individual acheivement than the team's performance. The Lady Lions headed to the NCAA Regionals thinking there was no way they could possibly lose -- but they did. And by the time they realized their vulnerability, they couldn't pull themselves together.

This year, vowing not to suffer a repeat of last season, the gymnasts realized the necessity of team unity and dedicated themselves to the team's success.

The Lady Lions, ranked No. 12 nationally and ahead of the other teams from the Northeast region, have broken their team record three times this year, have scored in the 190-range three times, and have won the Atlantic 10 title for the ninth consecutive time.

"The difference in attitude is so significant that it has made all the difference in the world," Coach Judi Avener said.

"Probably the key advantage is that this team, every single one of them, is dedicated to the goals of the team, whereas last year we had a few people along for the ride," she added.

Because of the team's new-found unity, Avener instituted a rigorous training program. The gymnasts feel better about themselves because they have improved their physical condition. This year's team is leaner; it has lost about 85 pounds combined and is dedicated to keeping the weight off. In addition to regular practices, the Lady Lions lift weights twice a week at 7 a.m. and do aerobics five days a week.

Sometimes they also have extra practices to work on particular events which are giving them trouble. For example, after the Alabama meet, Avener held a five-hour beam practice. The six gymnasts who had competed on the beam had to complete their routines consecutively -- twice -- without error before they could go home. That's called a pressure situation, because if you mess up, all of your teammates have to do their routine again.

Jada Hiltabrand said she found herself frustrated a lot last year because some of her teammates did not have their hearts in the team. She said it was hard to work so hard for something and not have everyone pulling together.

"This year's team is much more willing to make sacrifices," she said.

Avener added, "Allison (Barber) and Rene (Lyst) have made the biggest changes. They are less wanting to be individual, more willing to listen to the coaching staff and more supportive of the team."

"We have really clean relationships," Barber said. "We're all working really hard and pulling together."

Avener said this year's team is more unified because the gymnasts believe in themselves and don't have to try to prove anything to themselves.

"They're more aggressive. Last year they were easily intimidated," she said.

She said that's because they have competed against tougher opponents and have been more consistent in competition.

Lyst said last year's team had a lot of talent and looked good on paper but never scored in the 190s, although it should have.

"Last year we had a false sense of confidence but we never hit," she said. "This year we believe in our talent and hard work."

Penn State also has more depth this year. With more depth, the Lady Lions can afford to replace gymnasts because of injuries or better performance.

"You have to do well to keep your spot in the lineup," Hiltabrand said. "Its good to have someone pushing you because it makes you want to do better."

Lyst said this year the team also wants to improve its reputation.

The last two years the Lady Lions have not made it to the NCAAs and have placed second at regionals.

"We want people to have to look behind their shoulder at us," Lyst said. "We want to show the other teams that we're back on track, on top."

"We're not taking anything for granted," Lynn Crane said. "Last year we thought we were the best team in the region, that no one could touch us."

Crane said the team has to keep last year's loss at regionals in perspective as incentive to do well this year.

Avener also attributes some of the Lady Lions' success to her 19 years of coaching. She said there's a fine line between confidence and overcondifence and that she has to gauge exactly how hard to push her gymnasts.

"When you assume that you are the best team, there's a tendency to overlook the fact that you could lose," she said.

She said she can tell how much to talk about the coaching and how much to praise the gymnasts, when to push them harder and when to let them go home early.