The crowd at Pauley Pavilion was buzzing as UCLA’s gymnastics team opened their home season with a win that had everyone talking. Jordan Chiles’ return was the highlight, but what else made this victory so special? With standout performances and a strong team spirit, there’s more to this win.

UCLA’s win over Illinois wasn’t just about the big performances. Instead, it was like a true team effort. Jordan Chiles and Chae Campbell set the pace, but it was the whole squad that stood out. Coach Janelle McDonald’s message about focus and teamwork played a major role in the Bruins’ win.

Jordan Chiles’ return was nothing less than remarkable, showing everyone exactly why she’s considered a rising star. Her every move was a flawless execution. Scoring 9.925, she set the level for the rest of the meet. Her performance pushed her teammates to perform up to their best. Graduate student Brooklyn Moors kept the momentum going for the team. With a solid 9.900 and her impressive streak of hitting 9.900 or higher in every meet this season, Moors has earned a reputation in the sport.

Coach Janelle McDonald acknowledged the areas where her team can improve. “We have a lot of little details we’ve got to work on,” she said. “But, I was really happy to see particular dismounts in comparison to last week—definitely came off the bar in a better shape or looked better in the air,” she added. McDonald’s satisfaction with the dismounts shows how far the Bruins have come since their last performance. She pointed out how the team’s always pushing to get better, especially by perfecting the little things in their routines.

Chae Campbell had her role in UCLA’s strong start as she gave a stellar performance on the vault. But what has made their performances improve so much over the past years?

Inside UCLA and Jordan Chiles winning formula

After a shaky start to the season with a couple of early losses, UCLA has bounced back strong with back-to-back wins. The Bruins’ performance against Illinois was proof that the team is finding its rhythm back. They turned their season around after a heartbreaking week one in the NCAA, where they faced tough losses. The team’s confidence has been going high as they get past every challenge and claim the top spot.

The Bruins kicked off their season on January 4, facing off against both Oregon State and California. However, things didn’t go as planned for UCLA, as they came up short in both of them. First, they were edged out by Cal, 195.250 to 196.275, followed by a close loss to Oregon State. Chae Campbell struggled on the bars, while Emma Malabuyo’s handstand slip added to the setbacks. Despite a good performance on vault by Chiles, the team couldn’t keep up with the scores. However, the team changed their mindset and was ready to make a comeback.

Teammate Katelyn Rosen highlighted the team’s philosophy. “The focus isn’t on the other teams. The focus is on what we are going to do,” Rosen said. This shows how the team is focused on performance rather than thinking about what their competitors are doing. This has helped them to gain back their confidence by building strength.

The Bruins’ recent successes show that they are ready to take back their control on the mat. Can UCLA continue their winning streak and win against their next opponent?