During a three-meet stretch against Super Six-caliber teams, the Gym Dogs weren’t short on motivation. The next three weeks, however, they’ll largely have to look to themselves for inspiration.

Georgia’s next three opponents (N.C. State, Auburn and Kentucky) have a combined average score of 193.809, well below Georgia’s nation-best 196.650.

But sometimes in gymnastics you’re not competing against anybody but yourself.

“This meet isn’t necessarily against [N.C. State],” said junior Grace Taylor. “It’s not really a break, it’s not really an off weekend. We’re going for a score, we’re going for improvement, and it’s a vital part of our charge to get another championship.”

After a week-long stretch that saw Georgia meet and beat three top-10 opponents, it travels to Raleigh tonight to take on an N.C. State team that puts up an average score of 191.825 and hasn’t won since its season opener with Illinois-Chicago.

The Gym Dogs have both the small picture (improving upon their season-best 197.175 against Alabama) and the big picture (keeping the No. 1 spot they reclaimed this week) to keep in mind as they face the Wolfpack tonight and continue through the next three weeks.

“Every time in gymnastics you’re competing against the whole country, you’re not just competing against the opponent that you see,” coach Suzanne Yoculan said.

After a slow start to the season, the Gym Dogs have improved upon their season-best with each meet.

That continued pursuit of excellence is the biggest motivating factor as they embark upon their lengthy stretch against less daunting opponents.

“It’s only the beginning still and we still have a lot of work to do,” sophomore Cassidy McComb said. “It’s OK that we had mistakes in the beginning because that’s what this time is for now. And the motivation to get better.”