It isn't a bad routine. I'm sure that she probably didn't do that extra swing when she got the 9.60. And I can see a 9.30 with a better controlled mill circle. As I see it:
Possible deductions
Insufficient extension on glide .05-.10, slight bend of elbows on the counter-swing .05
(she is allowed to stop and pullover OR punch into the pullover with no deduction)
Regrip of hands between the glide and pullover
.10
Continuity of pullover .10
Pike in pullover .10
Rhythm between pullover and front hip .10 (connections between elements may be up to .20)
Bent arms in front hip .25-.30
Body shape in cast .10 for arch/ lack of tautness
Shoot through okay but needs more control and knees are soft, especially front knee .10-.15
Could also take rhythm here .05-.10
Mill circle okay but again knees are soft and there is a control issue at the end of it. .10-.15
Leg cut back okay except she ends in a pike instead of an extended front support .10
Extra swing
.30 (watch when she drops down from the pike her there is a little pump cast before she actually casts)
Rhythm for breaking the connection .10-.20
Cast is okay but could be tighter and a little more hollow .05
Back Hip Circle slight pike .05
Underswing: head out of alignment .10, body shape .10 for arch. I thought height and distance were fine. She takes the step because her head was back on the underswing .10 for the step. (couldn't see how big it really was because of people's heads but if it was 2 feet then it would be .20)
So you see with all of that the score can really go down. In real time I would have had her in the high 8s also. Without the extra swing a low 9. Glad she'll be able to lose the front hip circle soon.
I personally wouldn't be mad at the judge who gave the 8.90 but instead the judge who gave the 9.60 if she performed the exact same routine. We learn more from making mistakes than being perfect.