On April 1, Olivia Dunne was all about the hype. “Felt the aura from 3 scrolls away,” she commented on Instagram, hyping up her LSU teammate in a dazzling Aurora Bliss leotard from Ozone. Though sidelined since January with a knee injury, Dunne hasn’t let that dim her presence. If she couldn’t be on the mat, she would still be the loudest voice from the Tiger Nation, keeping spirits high. But in just 24 hours, the energy shifted. Smiles turned into silence, cheers into concern. Something had changed!

As the LSU Tigers prepare to step onto the floor at Rec Hall for their NCAA Regional second-round showdown, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The opposition? A formidable trio—Arkansas Razorbacks, Michigan Wolverines, and Maryland Terrapins—each known for bringing grit and power to the mats. But for LSU, the real battle isn’t just against their opponents. It’s against the uncertainty within their own squad. Will Dunne be available? That’s still a mystery. And now, there’s an even bigger setback.

Just a day ago, freshman standout Kaliya Lincoln was glowing in that same Aurora Bliss leotard Dunne hyped up. She embodied confidence, strength, and LSU’s signature flair. But on April 2, the tone of her Instagram stories took a drastic turn. A hospital bed. A bandaged shoulder. A quiet yet powerful caption: “Just a little update. Shoulder surgery ✅ Philippians 4:13.” One moment, she was poised to compete, the next, she was recovering from an unexpected operation. For a gymnast, shoulder injuries can be career-defining, but Lincoln’s message—backed by faith and resilience—signals that she isn’t backing down. She will return, but perhaps not on this Thursday night. Then what will change? 

Not long ago, Kaliya Lincoln was in her element—soaring, flipping, and sticking landings with the kind of power that made LSU a vault powerhouse. On March 7, she dazzled in blue, delivering a strong 9.800 on vault as the Tigers overpowered Georgia 198.575-197.175. It was a night of celebration, a statement win. And before that, on February 21? Another 9.800, another crucial contribution in vault, helped LSU post a 197.200. She wasn’t just part of the lineup—she was a key piece of LSU’s vault supremacy. But now, she’s on the sidelines, her season abruptly cut short by shoulder surgery. But who is going to fill the void?

With Lincoln out, the responsibility falls elsewhere. Lexi Zeiss has been the go-to option whenever Lincoln was absent. And she hasn’t disappointed. A composed, technical gymnast, she thrives under pressure. So when the LSU Tigers march into Rec Hall on April 3, odds are Zeiss will be in the lineup, ready to step up yet again. But what about Livvy Dunne?

Olivia Dunne is still at the sidelines 

Since her January knee injury, Dunne has been a vocal supporter, but her competitive return remains uncertain. For her, it should have been another chance to shine under the arena lights, to compete alongside her teammates in one of the biggest moments of the season. Instead, she was on the sidelines, her fractured kneecap keeping her from the mat but never from the fight.

“I have a fractured kneecap right now, so I’m on the sidelines cheering,” Olivia Dunne admitted, post LSU’s SEC win, her voice carrying a mix of longing and pride. “But it’s just been such an amazing time this past year.” So, there’s something powerful about watching your team rise while knowing you can’t physically be out there with them. It’s a different kind of strength—the kind that doesn’t come from landings and routines but from trust and belief. And if there’s one thing Dunne has, it’s belief.

“Oh my goodness, yes! I feel like we’re just so ready, and the season has been such a gift,” she said, her excitement unshaken despite her personal setback. Because for Dunne, LSU isn’t just a team. It’s family. It’s the roar of the crowd, the unbreakable bond, and the unwavering determination to fight for each other—whether on the mat or from the sidelines. And as the Tigers step onto the floor for the NCAA Regional, one thing is certain: Livvy’s presence will be felt. Even if she’s not competing, her heart is right there with them.