Olivia Dunne‘s plan is set: do or die. As she prepares for her 5th senior year and her final NCAA season at LSU, her plan is simple: give no excuses and go all in. After announcing her return to LSU this summer, the 22-year-old has been training harder than ever, and fans have been getting sneak peeks at her behind-the-scenes grind. Every post on social media feels like a sneak preview of a comeback story that’s going to be worth the wait because, let’s be real, it’s not just about her gymnastics but also the pride of LSU.

As the most-followed college athlete and the highest-paid female college athlete, Livvy is thinking about one thing: snagging another NCAA championship. With the 2025 season starting this week, fans are hyped for the top 25 matchups and the debut of some fresh new talent. However, in the December WCGA preseason poll, Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, California, and Utah were all sitting pretty in the top five, but Olivia’s not getting caught up in the rankings. This time she’s using her massive platform for something bigger: a bold message!

Dunne drops major hint about 2025 goals

On January 1st, Olivia Dunne kicked off the new year in style with a post that had her 5.4 million followers buzzing and a clear message to the gymnastics team. She shared a carousel of four photos, each capturing her in full Tiger mode, ready to take on the 2025 NCAA gymnastics season. In two sparkling purple and gold leotards, with her hair pulled up in a neat bun and tied with a purple ribbon, Olivia showed her strength.

From performing on the mat to nailing her beam routine, every photo showed her form and athleticism. She captioned the post with “New year 🔜 same goal,” making it clear that while the calendar might be changing, her goal to win another NCAA title hasn’t wavered one bit. After helping LSU secure its first-ever NCAA Championship in 2024, she’s set her sights even higher. But this time, it’s not just about team glory; Olivia is all in on proving herself as an individual competitor. When she returned to LSU for her final year, she shared how the past year reignited her passion for gymnastics.

“This past year I found a renewed love of the sport,” she explained, adding that she felt strong, healthy, and ready to contribute from the start. While the national championship win was a major team achievement, Olivia is hungry for more. With LSU’s first competition against Iowa State on January 3rd, the pressure is all on Olivia Dunne, especially after LSU’s recent setback!

Olivia Dunne faces big shoes to fill

Haleigh Bryant has been one of LSU’s biggest stars, no doubt about it. With 27 All-America honors, the most in LSU history, and 18 perfect 10s, including a jaw-dropping Gym Slam, she’s earned her place as one of the best in NCAA history. Last season, she scored a career-high 39.925 in the all-around, tying for the highest in the NCAA for 2024. If anyone knows how to lead LSU to success, it’s Haleigh. But now, just as the 2025 season is about to kick off, the unexpected has happened.

Bryant suffered a tough elbow injury during the Gymnastics 101 exhibition in December, injuring the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in her elbow. This injury is forcing her to miss at least the season opener against Iowa State and possibly more meets. So, with Bryant out, the responsibility shifts squarely onto Olivia Dunne’s shoulders. Now Olivia Dunne is looking to help LSU defend its title.

With Haleigh sidelined, Olivia’s leadership and performance could make or break the Tigers’ 2025 season. Fans are hoping she’ll not only make LSU proud but push them toward another championship. If anyone can carry that weight, it’s Olivia Dunne. Let’s see if she can pull it off!