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As a freshman, MaKenna Merrell has contributed here and there for Utah's gymnastics team, filling in when needed as she has gotten accustomed to competing on the big stage of college gymnastics.

It's time to call the break-in period over.

Merrell is expected to compete on everything but the uneven bars Saturday when the No. 5 Utes take on No. 14 Cal in Berkeley. Merrell, who has competed only in the floor lineup the last two meets, is getting a bigger role this weekend thanks to nagging injuries that are limiting Kailah Delaney and Samantha Partyka.

Delaney won't compete and Partyka is competing on just the uneven bars and balance beam due to lower leg soreness.

As if the larger role isn't enough pressure, there is also the knowledge that the Utes are taking quite a win streak into Saturday's meet. Utah hasn't lost to Cal in 15 meetings, including five in Berkeley.

The Bears are ranked a substantial amount below the Utes at No. 14, but they've proven they can be a dangerous team.

They recently earned a season-best 196.9 at Arizona State and upended UCLA 196.375-195.175 earlier this season. The Bruins are the only team to get the better of the Utes this season.

The Utes know they need to give their best to assure they aren't upset either, but Merrell said she isn't nervous.

"I'm having fun," she said. "We have all been working hard in practice and I think any one of us could do an amazing job."

While she says she is ready for more responsibilities, Merrell, who hails from Pleasant Grove, never really imagined she'd be in such a situation, at least with the Utes.

Merrell grew up following BYU gymnastics and cheered on her sister, Mickell, who competed for the Cougars from 2008-12.

She imagined she would follow her sister's path, until Utah gave her a chance.

"I realized how good Utah was," she said of her change of heart. "Utah gymnastics, the fans, make it special."

Competing in the Pac-12 gives Merrell a bigger platform on which to shine, but she has already proven herself in the coaches' eyes.

"Initially, I think she felt a lot of pressure to come in and knock it out of the park immediately," Utah coach Megan Marsden said. "A lot of freshmen have those expectations, but there is a transition period. But she is a fast learner and an extremely hard worker and has done really well."

Well enough the Utes believe they can rely on Merrell in this meet.

"We are changing up the lineup," Marsden said. "But being able to do that is something we need to be able to do to be successful, and she is ready." —

No. 5 Utah at No. 14 Cal

P Saturday, 2 p.m. MST

Records • Utah 6-1, 4-1; Cal 8-3, 3-2

TV • Pac-12 Networks

Live stats • UtahUtes.com

Of note • Utah leads the series with the Bears 15-0 and is 5-0 in Berkeley. … The Utes have broken the 197 mark for the last four meets. … Cal's season best is a 196.9 at Arizona State, which also stands as the school's best road score. … Cal's most notable win was a 196.375-195.175 win over UCLA, the first win over the Bruins for Cal since 1985. … Sophomore Toni Ann Williams leads the team and has a season-best 39.7 in the all-around this year. She is the only gymnast in the world currently performing a double front dismount on beam.