Nov. 8, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team returns to an old stomping ground this Saturday (11 a.m.) as it makes its return to Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool for a tri-meet with former BIG EAST foes and now Atlantic Coast Conference rivals Pitt and Virginia Tech.
Trees Pool has become a home away from home for the Irish over the years as they have competed in five dual meets at the facility since joining the BIG EAST in 1995 and won BIG EAST titles in 1998 and 2010 before earning runner-up finishes in 2011 and 2012.
“I’m excited to get on the road to Pittsburgh,” said head coach Brian Barnes. “We’ll get to see a new team in Virginia Tech, a team we’ll see again. I’m excited to face off against ACC competition. I think it’s great for the program. I’m ready to see how this team has responded to this week of preparation and to the challenges we have been laying out all week. It’s going to be another competitive weekend.”
For the first time since joining their new league, the Irish will get a taste of ACC competition as Virginia Tech has been a member since 2004 and is coming off a program-best runner-up finish at the 2013 ACC Championships. The Hokies later went on to take 24th at the NCAA Championships, eight spots below the Irish.
Pitt, like the Irish, is making its inaugural run through the ACC after finishing a distant third at last year’s BIG EAST Championships.
In a dual meet at Rolfs Aquatic Center last year, Notre Dame rolled past the Panthers, 188-112, as it won 12 of the 16 events on the day.
Despite a 0-3 dual record, the Irish have gotten off to a solid start to the 2013-14 season. On the boards, junior standout Allison Casareto is 2-0 off the 1-meter, while sophomore Lindsey Streepey boasts a first-place finish and a runner-up showing on the 3-meter.
On the swimming side, junior Emma Reaney has been dominant this season as she is 2-0 in the 100 breast, 1-0 in the 200 breast and 100 fly and 1-1 in the 200 free on her way to earning two ACC Women’s Swimmer of the Week awards in two opportunities.
Elsewhere, freshman Katie Miller is undefeated in the 200 IM and fellow freshman Catherine Mulquin (100 back) and senior Kelly Ryan (200 back) swept the backstroke events against Purdue last Friday night.
Fans looking to follow the action can use the live stats link that will be posted on UND.com closer to meet time.
— Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
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