In many rivalries, the pressure builds as the year goes on – especially when national contenders collide.

And an early-season matchup between the Bruins and the Spartans could be the first turn of the dial on the pressure cooker.

Newborn rivals No. 5 UCLA gymnastics and No. 21 Michigan State will compete this Sunday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. The meet serves as a rematch between two programs that crossed paths as postseason contenders in 2025.

The heat was first cranked after last year’s dual meet when the Spartans suddenly found themselves in the Bruins’ rear view mirror – despite holding the lead until the fourth rotation – leaving Pauley Pavilion with a 197.3000-197.2000 loss.

[Related: Nation-leading floor total sends UCLA gymnastics to upset Michigan State]

“Some of our favorite memories were against Michigan State last year,” coach Janelle McDonald said.

The Bruins faced the Spartans three times in their first year in the Big Ten, winning the conference championship and later defeating the program in the NCAA semifinals.

Building on last season’s intensity, both squads have been preparing for what comes next. Olympic gold medalist and senior Jordan Chiles logged her first-ever perfect 10 on vault against Nebraska Saturday.

“(It) took me four years finally to get a 10 on vault, and I’m very proud of myself,” Chiles said. “That just means I have more opportunities to really feel encouraged and feel powerful going into everything that I need to do”.

A lot can change in a year. And for the Bruins, it has.

From sorting through lineup decisions to filling open spots, the Bruins have had plenty to reconsider.

“Our team looks very different,” McDonald said. “We really are relying on our freshmen and the experience that they had previously in their elite careers and things like that. So far this season, they’ve showed up and just really delivered.”

That impact has been immediate, with freshman Tiana Sumanasekera competing in the all-around and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after the Best of the West quad meet, while freshmen Nola Matthews and Ashlee Sullivan have also appeared across multiple events.

Sullivan – a four-time U.S. National Team member – earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors this week after tying for first on bars and on floor with 9.900 and 9.875 marks, respectively, against Nebraska.

“(The seniors are) just such incredible leaders for this team and really set the standard and role model for how a Bruin should act and how a Bruin should carry themselves,” Sullivan said.

Fans from around the country will be able to see this next chapter unfold in East Lansing. However, according to McDonald, a televised match does not change the stakes.

“I don’t look at it as pressure,” McDonald said. “I try to explain it to the team as, we’re an opportunity to get to represent our sport on a national level. And I think that there comes a responsibility with that, to really show up and show the world how special NCAA gymnastics is. It’s not something we take lightly, and it’s definitely something we want to show up for.”

And while fewer Bruins will be in the building this Sunday than the record-breaking number who attended the home opener, the rivalry’s energy will still fill the arena as the next chapter unfolds.