In a crushing blow to the ISU women’s gymnastics team, redshirt freshman all-arounder Jade Kvach fell from the uneven bars during practice Wednesday, reinjuring the elbow that kept her from competition last season and will likely end her season this year.

“It’s a huge hit for us on bars, and really, everywhere else for that matter,” said head coach K.J. Kindler.

Last week, the No. 9 Cyclones topped then-No. 7 Oklahoma, with alternates performing four routines while several of the team’s veterans sat out plagued by injuries.

“It proves that the alternates can step up and compete just as well as the regulars,” team co-captain Erin Dethloff said after that meet. “That’s important, because at any time, any one of us could get hurt.”

Little did she know, fate would soon prove her right.

Kvach’s is the fifth injury to sideline a Cyclone from the lineup this season, and it comes just three weeks before the Big 12 Championships and the start of the postseason.

Kindler said freshman Lindsey Murphy will fill in for Kvach in the all-around.

“With all the curveballs and everything we’ve been thrown this season, we shouldn’t have any problems facing the challenges of the postseason,” said all-arounder Janet Anson.

“[Overcoming the obstacles] has really brought the team together, and we’re determined to achieve our goals no matter what.”

Anson said the team will pull together by staying focused on performing solid routines and continuing to post big scores at this weekend’s quadrangular meet at No. 11 Oregon State with No. 22 Washington and up-and-coming California-Davis.

Anson said she and her teammates are confident in one another and knows their alternates will step in and prove themselves once again this week.

“The big goal [before Kvach’s injury] was just to post a big score on the road,” Anson said. “That really hasn’t changed any.”

Last week, the Cyclone alternates came through big, posting solid scores all around. Kindler said, however, all of them must expect more from themselves this week with the lineup being stretched even thinner.

“Just hitting is no longer an option,” Kindler said. “They will actually have to make their routines 9.8-and-9.9 worthy.

The Cyclones have a slight boost over last week’s injured team, as Dethloff plans to return to the all-around after sitting out floor last week, and sophomore Ashley Alden plans to return with a slightly watered-down routine on beam. Alden, however, will still sit out and rest on floor and bars.

The Cyclones are 9-1 (2-0) on the season and are trying to keep an eight-meet winning streak alive, while 10-3 Oregon State will attempt to extend its seven-meet winning streak. Washington comes in with a 10-3 record but has an injury-laden lineup as well. California-Davis is 7-8 on the season.