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After tearing her Achilles tendon last season, Utah junior Kassandra Lopez determined she was going to do everything she could to return better than ever.

She's back in the lineup, but she hasn't dropped that can-do attitude.

Lopez, who will get a chance to compete in front of her friends and family when the Utes take on Pac-12 foe Arizona on Saturday in Tucson, has resumed her role as a fixture in the Utes' uneven bars routines.

The junior has delivered a 9.85 and two 9.875s this season. She's also getting close to breaking into the vault and balance beam lineups too.

"She is doing a very good job," Utah coach Greg Marsden said. "I don't know if it was the injury or what, but she seems more focused and more mature this year."

Lopez said the injury gave her a different perspective.

"When I was competing, I tended to be more alone and focusing on my things," she said. "But when I was hurt, I thought, 'Ok, I need to do this and this to help the team.' I really wanted to be more a part of the team going forward."

Aside from acting as team cheerleader, Lopez spent a lot of time rehabilitating her Achilles tendon injury. The process was slow because Lopez couldn't bear any weight on her foot for almost two months.

"I learned a lot of patience," Lopez laughed. "I tried working my upper body and core, but it was still a slow process. But I didn't want to hold anything back, either. I wanted to do everything I could to stay in shape."

Since floor puts so much demand on the gymnasts, the Utes don't plan to use Lopez in that event this season, but Marsden wouldn't be surprised if she breaks into the lineups of the other events.

"She is close on beam and vault and is really consistent on bars," he said. "When it comes to bars, gymnasts are either natural at them or not, and she is a natural."

Lopez said she is getting more confident every week and is looking forward to the chance of competing in front of her home crowd at Arizona.

"I always went to gym meets there growing up," she said. "I have a lot of friends who go there, so it will be a fun meet. But for the competition, I will go into it with the same mindset I have always had."

Which this year means plenty of "can-do" attitude. —

Utah at Arizona

At the McKale Center, 4 p.m. MST

TV • None

Records • Utah (5-0, 1-0); Arizona (4-2, 1-1)

Series history • Utah leads 55-0

Last meeting • Utah won, 197.925-196.25

About the Utes • Coming off a 196.725-194.725 win over UCLA…Freshman Kari Lee might be limited to the balance beam again this week due to sore Achilles' tendons…Tory Wilson leads the team in made routines going 12-for-12…Georgia Dabritz is ranked No. 1 in the all-around with a 39.588 average.

About the Wildcats • Season high is a 196.05 in a road win at Washington (195.95)…Losses are to Alabama and UCLA…Senior Allison Flores leads the team in the all-around with a season high of 39.425…Former Utah All-American Meredith (King) Paulicivic (1991-94) is in her first season as an assistant with the Wildcats.