Though sophomore Postell (third, 2005 NCAA all-around) is recovered from a torn ligament in her elbow, she's not in total competitive shape and will probably do only vault and bars tonight. She's only had about 10 days of good work to get ready. She was having a strong preseason with several upgrades before the injury.

Still, Postell said, "We're all excited for the first meet," and she doesn't necessarily share Marsden's dread of the team not being quite ready. "We'll do OK once we get there."

Riffanacht, likewise, hasn't had time to return to competitive shape following a high-ankle sprain and wasn't in Marsden's tentative lineup for tonight.

Those two, however, should be ready for most of the season.

Tidd, a junior, is still battling a mysterious back problem that started with spasms during the 2004 holiday break. She was third in the NCAA bars at the 2005 national championships, during which she was 9-for-9 and scored 39.40 and 39.50 in team competition despite the pain

Tidd has been unable to train all fall, and Marsden said if she comes back this season, it will likely only be on bars. She could also redshirt or petition for a medical hardship year or be forced into retirement, though her scholarship will be fulfilled.

The injuries give Utah's impressive freshmen the chance to really show off their wares. Nina Kim will go all-around with Duke and Ford, and Kristina Baskett should do all but bars. Kim, from Houston, was a four-year member of the U.S. national team and heavily recruited. Baskett, of Normandy Park, Wash., was the 2005 Junior Olympic all-around, floor and vault champion.

Utah's first two meets are on the road — it's at Washington Jan. 13 — before the Utes come home to the Huntsman Center to host Nebraska on Jan. 20. The season's home highlight will be when 2005 NCAA champion Georgia visits March 6.

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E-mail: lham@desnews.com