Olivia Dunne had the rare opportunity to experience ‘not one,’ but ‘two’ Senior Night performances in her LSU gymnastics career—an achievement few ever get to claim. In 2024, she was in her fourth year with the Tigers, with no certainty of taking advantage of her COVID-extended eligibility. So, when March 14 rolled around and the LSU Tigers faced off against South Carolina at the PMAC, it was a night of celebration, nostalgia, and legacy. Under the bright lights and the roar of Tiger Nation, Livvy delivered a stunning floor routine, earning a solid 9.850—her Senior Night moment. But fate had more in store!

Dunne later returned for her COVID-extended year, securing a second shot at the coveted Senior Night stage. Yet, this time, the script didn’t unfold quite the same way. On March 6, Olivia’s update came through her Instagram handle. It read, “Hi friends! Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with an avulsion fracture of my patella and will not be able to compete on senior night.” The team broke, and the gymnastics fans felt heartbroken. The 22-year-old could have had a chance to bid her goodbye to PMAC in style. Unfortunately, things didn’t fall into place for her. But wait, don’t keep her out of the book!

The social media star rightly knows how to tease emotions. Just two posts and things seemed to be settled for Olivia. The first one came on March 6. The New Jersey native wrote in her Instagram update, “Tiger fans, you’ve been so good to me! Thank you for the endless support and as always Geaux Tigers! – Liv” Sounds like a farewell message. Isn’t it? It was. The second one, however, remained far more heartwarming. Before the opening whistle echoed through the arena, Olivia Dunne stood side by side with her fellow seniors in the locker room—one final moment in the iconic LSU leotard. It wasn’t the farewell she had envisioned, but it was a moment she would cherish forever. 

On March 7, she shared a heartfelt snapshot on her Instagram story, captioning it, “One last time in the PMAC with my sistas 💙.” In the photo, she stood alongside Haleigh Bryant, Sierra Ballard, and Chase Brock—three more super seniors who had walked this journey with her. Hand in hand, they smiled through the bittersweet reality of the night, knowing this chapter was coming to a close.

Despite their formation, not a single face was lost in the moment—every expression, every emotion, was clear. The bond they had built over years of triumphs, challenges, and unforgettable memories radiated through the image. It was more than just a picture, as it was a testament to sisterhood, resilience, and the unbreakable unity of the Tiger Nation. And see the coincidence: three of these seniors came under the grip of injuries this season. Only one of those three stood till the last to play the senior night match against Georgia Gymnastics. 

Haleigh Bryant has competed all-around in the Tigers’ two most recent matches. Before that, she had to face the red eyes of her elbow injury. On the other hand, Olivia Dunne last competed on January 24 this year in a matchup against No. 14 Arkansas. The Tigers, however, fell short in the match. Since then, the super senior has missed five consecutive meets as SEC competition intensified. But you may not ignore the mark she has made so far. 

Throughout the season, Livvy has contributed to three of the four events, playing a role in setting the pace for LSU as they aim to defend their national title. She delivered convincing performances on both beam and floor, earning top scores of 9.825 and 9.875, respectively. On bars, she achieved a season-best score of 9.725. Now, in the list of injuries, she has Chase with her, sadly in the worst-ever situation. 

Chase Brock’s Achilles injury has sent her to the other side of the gymnastics mat “indefinitely.” She had to take the help of crutches to walk on the sidelines. So, a speedy recovery here may not be a suitable idea. But Livvy may get a chance soon to don the leotard again and appear on the mat. In the meantime, her LSU coach had something to share. 

Olivia Dunne’s coach is on the side of enjoying the moment

In the heart of the PMAC, Olivia Dunne’s LSU Tigers gymnastics team has established itself as an unstoppable force. Riding an impressive 14-0 streak on home turf, the squad has turned the arena into a fortress. What makes the record even more remarkable? Nine of those victories came in front of a roaring crowd of over 13,000 passionate fans. Moreover, the last time LSU tasted defeat at home was nearly two years ago, falling to Oklahoma in 2023. Since then, winning in the PMAC has become second nature for this powerhouse program. Given that dominance, the March 7 matchup had the potential to be yet another triumphant night for the Tigers. Yet, amid all the numbers and streaks, head coach Jay Clark remained unfazed—focused not on records but on something else. 

Before going into the Senior Night, coach Jay Clark said in the press conference, “I want them to walk in there Friday night and enjoy the whole scene, and let’s make it a part. let’s make it a celebration of all that they have already accomplished and are continuing to push forward to accomplish even more.” He spoke about the seniors, about those who had remained in the mix at every moment. However, Olivia Dunne missed the train because of her injury. Let’s hope she shows up on the mat soon.