The Washington gymnastics team will take on the California Golden Bears this Friday in its home opener at the Bank of America Arena. The Huskies are 0-2 in the Pac-10 and will look to pick up their first win of the season.

The Bears have had two wins this season, over Towson and UC Davis, but fell to fellow Pac-10 foe Arizona State last week.

Despite losing their last meet to Oregon State, the Huskies will enter today’s meet with their confidence high. Coach Joanne Bowers told gohuskies.com that they had one of their best practices of the year this week and she thinks that competing at home will really help the girls step up.

“We realize that it is early in the season, but we’re also realizing that everyone can step up,” Bowers said.

Against the Beavers, it was the freshmen who really stepped up. Haley Bogart continued her outstanding debut by winning an event title on the balance beam, while teammate Kristen Linton captured two second-place finishes on the balance beam and the bars.

Washington will also have to rely on its strong upperclassmen against the Bears. Junior Ashley Houghting is sure to put up a strong performance for the Huskies this weekend. Houghting ranks No. 1 in the Husky record books with 16 wins on the vault; she is the UW’s top returning vaulter and is sure to give the Bears a run for their money in that event.

The Huskies and the Bears have had a strong rivalry in the past, with the gymdogs winning two of their three meetings against California last year. The team beat the Bears in a dual meet and at the Pac-10 Championships last year; however, Cal came out ahead at the NCAA West regional meet.

“More than anything, I think that being at home will make a huge difference. We’ll be in front of our fans and I think that will really help our confidence,” Bowers said, confident about the team’s chances this weekend.

After taking on the Bears, the Huskies will remain at home to face the UCLA Bruins next weekend.

[Reach reporter Rebecca Rogers at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.]