Ashley Postell bruised her heel practicing her floor routine in similar fashion to the injury she sustained at the NCAA Championships two years ago. Sophomore Nina Kim is sick and missed practice Monday, and senior Nicolle Ford has some torn cartilage in her hip.

The list means No. 2 Utah's focus switches a bit to getting healthy, instead of just putting together its best possible lineup on the floor Friday.

"We've acquired a lot of problems," Utah coach Greg Marsden said. "Queenie's came out of nowhere."

Ford, nicknamed "Queenie," received a cortisone shot in her hip to help the soreness, but was told by doctors there is little to do for the injury. She is determined not to let it bother her.

"It's some funky cartilage damage," she said. "They shot me up and sent me on my way."

Postell's heel bruise could take several weeks to heal.

"It's only the first meet of the season," Marsden said. "We want to go in and do what we're capable of, but what we really need to do is get healthy."

A Ute down

Freshman Chelsey Coleman, tabbed as the "sleeper of the recruiting class," by Marsden, has left the university for personal reasons. Marsden wouldn't elaborate on her decision, and said it was hard to say how much she would have competed based on her fall training.

Coaches' injury list

Utah was put in the biggest bind earlier this year when assistant Jeff Graba suffered torn biceps and Marsden injured his knee, leaving the team without a spotter. The Utes were granted a waiver from the NCAA that allowed them to hire former assistant Aki Hummel to spot.

However, Utah's coaches aren't the only ones to have been bitten by injuries. Both Utah State coach Ray Corn and SUU coach Scott Bauman are recovering from rotator cuff injuries.

Corn fell off a roof in September, and Bauman hurt his boogie boarding in California when he was smacked into the ground by a big wave.

"It was pretty stupid, to be out there when I can't swim," Bauman said. "I'm just glad to be alive."

Around the nation

Fifth-ranked UCLA, Utah's opponent Friday, opened the season with a 194-188.175 win over Washington. The Bruins had to count a fall on beam, scoring just 47.525.

The highest score was recorded by top-ranked Georgia, which had a 197.375-194.6 win over No. 8 Stanford.

Florida scored a 196.55 to win the Super Six meet, and Nebraska was second with a 195.2.

Marsden said he saw some video of the Bruins, but isn't putting too much stock into the season-opening performances.

"Scores vary so much place to place," he said. "Georgia has unbelievable talent, and if they hit, they are certainly capable of scoring that high."