The fate of the Michigan women's gymnastics team's comeback against fierce rival Penn State rested on the shoulders of sophomore Taylor Zondervan.

Entering floor, their final rotation, the Wolverines trailed Penn State 146.825-146.650. After junior Jordan Sexton fell, Michigan competed with little margin for error. Because five of six scores count for the team total, the Wolverines needed a hit from Zondervan or for the first time all night, they'd be forced to count a missed routine.

The catch? Zondervan, the sixth Wolverine up, had never competed on floor in college. She hadn't even warmed up her first pass, a two-and-a-half punch front.

But Zondervan performed like a pro. And with each successful pass, Michigan coach Bev Plocki and the rest of the Wolverines became more excited. The Schoolcraft native earned a 9.875, and for the sixth straight week, Michigan won, upsetting No. 14 Penn State 195.800-194.925.

“Taylor got a chance to step up and we were all very excited for her,” sophomore Kylee Botterman said. “Her routine was great.”

Botterman was no slouch, either. She recorded the highest score of the night on balance beam and tied Sexton for first in the floor exercise, finishing just ahead of junior Sarah Curtis in the all-around with a career-best 39.325.

"It was my highest all-around so far, which is exciting, but I’m more excited that as a team we’re stepping it up every weekend,” Botterman said. “We have some very difficult meets coming up and we want to keep building.”

The Friday night nailbiter had its own difficulties.

Michigan used just five vaulters, meaning it had to count all five scores on its opening event. The Wolverines suffered one fall each on the uneven bars, beam and floor, but didn't have to count any of them.

Senior Becky Bernard contributed 9.800 scores on both her events, bars and beam, turning in a near-perfect bars routine marred slightly by a step on the dismount.

"We knew we would have some ground to make up," Plocki said. "These are the kind of competitions that we want because it tests your team and prepares us for the championship season."

Unlike Michigan, Penn State had to count a fall in its final rotation. The Nittany Lions' two falls on the balance beam gave the Wolverines just the opening they needed to snatch the victory away.

But Michigan was just focused on hitting floor.

“We don’t pay attention to the other team,” Curtis said. “We can only control what we do.”

The Wolverines might have to pay attention in their next meet, though – Michigan's next competition is Friday in Salt Lake City against No. 1 Utah.

— Colt Rosensweig contributed to this report.