There is far more room to fall than to grow when a team finishes one step from the top.

UCLA gymnastics learned that reality quickly.

After climbing from a 17th-place finish in 2024 to becoming national runners-up in 2025, the Bruins boast high expectations, especially the seniors.

And when a group that changed the fabric of a program graduates, the question of who will carry its legacy looms large.

That answer has surfaced not from the loudest voice in the room but from one of its steadiest presences: senior Ciena Alipio.

“[Alipio is] a great shoulder, a good listening ear, and she is a warm hug to start your day with,” said coach Janelle McDonald.

Alipio, alongside senior Madisyn Anyimi, make up McDonald’s first graduating class.

UCLA added six freshmen this season, further shifting responsibility onto a veteran group that was cut in half last year. The 2025 graduating class was integral to the program’s success last season and occupied half of the spots in every lineup.

Now with just seven upperclassmen, Alipio has stepped into an increased leadership role – one that complements her personal strengths.

“I haven’t ever been the person who’s very vocal, but that’s something I’ve been working on,” Alipio said. “Last year, I really blossomed in speaking up in team meetings and making sure that everyone knew that their voice was just as important as the upperclassmen’s.”

Alipio added that she helped integrate newcomers through actions off the mat, from grabbing a team lunch to hosting everyday check-ins.

The San Jose local acknowledged that positive one-on-one interactions came more naturally to her than motivational speaking. This individualized leadership approach may have been exactly what the young team needed.

“Ciena is always there for our freshmen, for her class, for juniors, sophomores. It’s just a really friendly environment,” said freshman Tiana Sumanasekera. “We love her so much, and we couldn’t be where we are without her.”

Alipio’s contributions are not limited to her leadership. She has settled comfortably into the beam lineup, completing 39 routines throughout her collegiate career.

Alipio secured her first perfect score at the Big Ten Championships last season on March 22, earning the Big Ten beam title while helping lead the Bruins to a team championship. Alipio has also earned First-Team All-American honors for beam in 2025.

“I wanted to continue with the success that I was having on beam. I had shown everyone that was my event,” Alipio said. “I was really happy with where I ended (the) season last year on beam, and I wanted to continue that.”

In her pre-collegiate career, Alipio established herself as an all-around athlete. She placed third in the all-around competition at the 2021 Arthur Gander Memorial in Switzerland.

But a thumb injury before her sophomore season and a knee injury before her sophomore year have hampered Alipio’s performance slate. Alipio was unable to compete vault, bars and floor – apart from one floor exhibition on Jan. 4 last season – across her first three years as a Bruin.

Alipio knew that last year’s graduating seniors’ absence would leave gaping holes in each lineup, so the senior developed her bars and floor routines to support her squad.

Alipio debuted these routines at UCLA’s annual Meet the Bruins Competition in December, sticking her bar dismount and final floor pass cold.

“If for some odd reason tomorrow was my last day of gymnastics, I’d be very content with where I’m at and what I was able to accomplish over summer,” Alipio said. “I’m feeling really good walking into (this) season, and I’m very excited about this team.”