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Competing in the Huntsman Center in front of more than 15,000 people can be a shock for Utah's freshmen gymnasts since the atmosphere often is nothing like they have experienced in previous competitions.

But going on the road can present its own challenges. There can be hesitancies with different equipment, letdowns by competing in near-empty arenas and different experiences with different rotations.

But the fourth-ranked Utes believe they can avoid those pitfalls Saturday when they compete at No. 19 Washington.

The Utes competed at BYU in the second meet of the year, and won 196.9-194.175, but it was more of a pseudo-road meet, considering the Utes didn't leave the state for the competition and had more fans than the Cougars at the meet.

Saturday's first Pac-12 conference meet of the year will be different for the Utes, who have never lost to Washington (but settled for ties in 2001 and 2013).

Coach Megan Marsden believes her team will do well.

"At times we have had problems and had letdowns and things like that, but I don't see this group doing that," she said. "They are a motivated, competitive group, and they want to win and get a big score. They are thinking about the big picture, the national scene."

The Utes need to be a good road team because of the way their schedule works out this year.

Five of their nine meets are on the road. In addition, the Pac-12 Championships are at Stanford, the regional competition will be on the road and the NCAAs are in St. Louis.

"The team has been doing a good job of staying consistent with their nutrition, how they handle meet and rest days, and I think they will do the same with travel," Marsden said. "It is still different, but they will adjust."

Utah junior Maddy Stover, one of the team captains, relishes road meets for the opportunities they bring. She says the traveling, rooming together and team dinners make for a closer team.

"You get to know a lot more about people and how they compete in situations," she said. "It's a good test for ourselves so we can solidify our lineups and be a well-prepared team for nationals."

The Utes' lineup is still a bit in the air after losing all-around sophomore Sabrina Schwab to a season-ending knee injury.

The good news for the Utes is that Tiffani Lewis, who missed Utah's last meet with an injured toe, is expected to be available Saturday.

She is eager to get back to competing, even if it is on the road.

"We are a young team, but they have done a lot of extra work, and we are just as capable of getting big scores on the road like we are at home," she said. "We are definitely hungry and this year we are determined and very very competitive." —

No. 4 Utah at No. 19 Washington

When • 2:30 p.m. Saturday

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

TV • Pac-12 Networks

In brief • The Utes have not lost to Washington in 54 meetings but did tie with the Huskies in 2001 and 2013. ... Utah's Tiffani Lewis could compete in the vault and floor lineup after sitting out the events a week ago with a toe injury. ... Washington opened its Pac-12 schedule with a 196.3-195.325 loss to Cal. ... Washington's Hailey Burleson has a season-high 39.35 in the all-around.