RI-val-ry: n. 1 — To strive to equal or excel over another in competition; 2 — two or more teams determined to reach something that only one can obtain; 3 — No. 10 ISU women’s gymnastics team versus No. 8 Nebraska, 7 p.m. Friday at Hilton Coliseum.

For years the Iowa State-Nebraska gymnastics match has been one of the sport’s most heated rivalries, typically determined by one or two unstuck landings. Friday’s dual promises to be intense.

“It’s going to be another meet where whoever hits, wins,” said all-arounder Janet Anson. “We can’t make mistakes.”

ISU head coach K.J. Kindler said Nebraska is healthy right now, giving it loads of confidence.

“They have a very strong lineup, and have had three strong meets in a row,” Kindler said. “Their confidence will be up, putting them in a great position for a meet on the road.

“They will definitely be our biggest challenge so far. We are going to have to put together our best performance of the year without a doubt.”

Kindler said the team has talked about the meet coming down to the uneven bars, where the Huskers are ranked fifth in the nation.

“If you look at the stats, we’re pretty evenly matched on the other events,” Kindler said.

“So bars will be the telltale event.”

She said the Cyclones are well prepared and need team leaders to take charge, as several of them have added more difficult elements to their routines to make their scores more competitive.

“This meet is going to be tight, and every little thing is going to count,” sophomore Katie Lasher said. “Things we sometimes take for granted we need to hit this time.”

Anson said she has added a new dismount on bars and will be performing a one-and-a-half Yerchenko on vault — the maneuver that earned her a 9.975 last week in Denver, and sixth place last year at nationals.

Kindler said sophomore Ashley Alden will be adding a third tumbling pass on floor, and the team will also look for all-arounders Laura-Kay Powell and Jade Kvach to bring in solid scores.

“We’ve been very consistent,” Kindler said. “I think it’s a challenge [the team] is really looking forward to.”

Traditionally, Nebraska has ruled the Big 12 and Big Eight, winning 18 conference championships — three times the number of titles of any other team in the conference. The Huskers have made 11 straight trips to the NCAA national championship, and boast a 66-11-1 all-time winning record over the Cyclones.

Kindler said last year’s Cyclones sent a message that the tide is about to change.

The duo faced off three times last season, with the Cyclones coming away with two wins and a draw — a streak the Cyclones hope to continue.

“Our team believes in Hilton Magic and believe that someone who comes into their house is going to have to do something special to beat them,” Kindler said.