The UCA STUNT team fell short, losing both games April 13 at the NCAA Championships in Lexington, Kentucky.

The tournament started with the Bears going up against the California Baptist University Lancers, the defending champions. 

The Bears did not win a single point in their first match, allowing the Lancers to secure all the points, beating them 24-0. 

This championship marks the fourth win for the Lancers. 

In the second match, the Bears went face-to-face with the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks. 

While the Bears were able to score 6 points throughout the four quarters, they were defeated 19-6. 

The Bears started strong against the Skyhawks, winning 2 points in the partner stunts. The team gained another point from the pyramid and tosses round. 

However, after half-time, the Skyhawks began to rack up points, ultimately defeating the Bears.

This match marks the most points the Bears have won against another Division I opponent, according to ucasports.com.

STUNT coach Alyssa Morrow said the team competed harder than any of its previous games. 

“Their execution in stunts and especially their tumbling was a drastic improvement from tournaments in the past and I think the girls finally got to experience what they’ve been putting all of this work in for,” Morrow said.

“The atmosphere was unlike any other and our energy as a team reflected that. Our goal was to go out on that mat and perform everything like it was the last time we would ever do it and that’s exactly what we did. The girls went out and left it all on the mat every single time,” she said.

This championship marks the end of the STUNT team’s first competitive season. 

“I think the beginning of the season was a little rocky because the majority of our team didn’t fully understand what to expect or how perfect all of their routines needed to be,” Morrow said. “There was a massive acclimation and learning period, but once they found their groove and gained a full understanding of the sport we started to compete like a completely different team.

“By the end of our last game today everyone was so emotional and sad that it was over and I think that speaks immensely for how much we’ve faced and overcome as a first-year team. We are all so excited to be paving the way for this program,” she said. 

Morrow said she is optimistic about the next season for the team.

“I am looking forward to welcoming in our rookie class next year and seeing how much our program will continue to grow in the future.

“Our returners have found a love and passion for this sport over the season and I think having them to set the tone from the jump next year and carry over everything we’ve worked for in our first season, we are going to do great things in our second season,” Morrow said.

More information about the STUNT team can be found at ucasports.com or on Instagram, @ucastunt.