Ah, the sweetness of revenge.

On Saturday night in Durham, N.H., the women's gymnastics team (17-3) avenged the worst loss of Coach Judi Avener's career and re-established itself as the best team in the region.

Top-seeded Penn State took the NCAA Northeast Regional title, scoring a 193.8. That score set the Northeast Regional Championship record as well as Penn State's highest score in team history.

With the win, the Lady Lions advance to the NCAA National Championship on April 20 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. They are seeded fifth behind Alabama, Utah, Oregon State and Georgia.

Meanwhile Saturday night, New Hampshire scored a 188.525, Ohio State a 188.125, Bowling Green a 186.775, Pittsburgh a 186.775, Kent State a 185.750 and Indiana (Pa.) a 181.550 to round out the top seven.

In last year's regional competition, top-seeded Penn State fell to fourth-seeded Ohio State, 188.175-185.925, under its overconfidence and lack of concentration. Avener has referred to that loss as "the worst loss of her entire career."

Because of the loss the Lady Lions did not advance to nationals.

This year the Lady Lions were confident, but did not consider the meet an easy win. They were determined to prove their abilities, yet did not underestimate their opponents.

Avener referred to this year's meet as a "dream meet."

"They did exactly what a championship team is supposed to do," Avener said. "They siezed the opportunity and capitalized on it."

"We were right on target," Allison Barber said. "We did exactly what we planned on doing; it couldn't have been any better."

The gymnasts hit 24 routines out of 24, without any breaks.

"I've been coaching for a long time and that doesn't happen that often," Avener said.

Barber led Penn State in scoring with a 39.025 to win the all-around, marking school and personal records.

"I felt like I got it all together," Barber said. "It would have been good to have been consistent all year, but it couldn't have happened at a better time."

Tammy Marshall, an individual contender from Massachusetts, took second in the all-around with a 38.8.

Lynn Crane placed third with a 38.75, a lifetime-best score.

"It was the most incredible meet of our lives," Crane said. "The team did really well, and for myself, my performance was the icing on the cake."

On the vault, Lori Brady of New Hampshire earned first place with a 9.9, while Marshall and Kim Grady, also of Massachusetts, tied for second with a 9.8.

Barber, who holds Penn State's vault record with a 9.9, scored a 9.75 for fourth place. April Polito scored a 9.7 for sixth.

Jeannie Vecchio of Pittsburgh took first on the uneven bars with a 9.725. Crane tied with Claire Wilson of Ohio State for second place with a 9.7.

Barber, Polito and Kira Rohm all scored a 9.625 for sixth place.

On the balance beam, Rene List earned a 9.850 for first, while Barber took second with a 9.775. Marshall scored a 9.75 for third. Crane scored a 9.7, marking a season high.

Barber scored a 9.875 on the floor exercise for first place and a season high. Janice Rogers and Jada Hiltabrand tied for second with a 9.825, both marking season highs. Crane scored a 9.75 for sixth place and another season high.