Despite losing to Denver Saturday night in Rec Hall, the Penn State women's gymnastics team was led by strong performances from juniors Leslie Bair, Katie McAvoy and Katie Rowland.

However, there was one key component missing from the team's line-up and attack: senior co-captain Nikki Bongiovanni. A strong leader for the team in her freshman and junior seasons, the sky was truly the limit for the senior this season.

"I was really well prepared for my senior year, and I had a wonderful pre-season and felt really strong," Bongiovanni stated. "This makes it really hard to be on the sidelines. This is the second year I have had to sit out though, after injuring myself my sophomore year, so I know what to expect. It still doesn't make the pain any less."

In addition to Bongiovanni's shoulder surgery, the team has been affected by a variety of other nagging injuries, all of which have impacted the squad.

Penn State coach Steve Shephard said that Julie Stoloski injured herself last week during the SEC challenge, but still managed to compete in floor exercises Saturday.

"We need to get her healthy as soon as possible, but she was a real trooper tonight," Shephard said.

Besides Stoloski's injury, sophomore Kelly Streicher has a sore foot and fellow sophomore Dina Sulyma is recovering from knee surgery, with hopes of being back in the line-up later this season.

However, while Stoloski, Streicher, and Sulyma are all expected to fully heal and compete as expected this season, the same cannot be said for Bongiovanni. After suffering a season-ending shoulder injury on a fall from the uneven bars, Bongiovanni's role has changed from that of a contributor on the mat to an inspiration off the floor.

"Now that I am injured, I try to motivate the team in different ways," Bongiovanni said. "I help to coach them in the gym. Basically, I help them with anything they might need, whether it is things like fixing the mats or helping them with their bad days. I am there for them no matter what."

Indeed, the team seems to benefit greatly from Bongiovanni's influence and loves to have her around.

"It feels great to have Nikki on the sidelines with us, and together with the team," junior Lisa Campagnolo said. "She is a great sideline coach and is able to level with us better than our coaches at times, since she has the athlete perspective. She gives great advice as always, and is a terrific motivator."

Nonetheless, Bongiovanni remains upbeat about her future on the mat.

Her shoulder will be in a sling for at least two weeks and she is expecting a four-month recovery period. Bongiovanni said she will begin rehabilitation toward the end of the season and will return for her fifth year of eligibility.

"I plan to train really hard over the summer," she said, "And get back to being at the level I was before my injury and being the best I can be for the team."

Overall, Bongiovanni's presence on the sidelines has been positive, both for her and for the team.

"Being home and around the team is more beneficial for Nikki, but helps the girls as well," Shephard said. "She feels like a part of things and it is hard when we are traveling and she is not there with us. It was nice for her to be involved tonight."