Nov. 9, 2013
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team made quite a first impression at the inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference tri-meet in program history Saturday as the Irish won 10 of the 16 events against ACC foes Pitt and Virginia Tech at Trees Pool to earn a pair of victories.
The Irish (2-3) rolled past the host Panthers, 193-107, and slipped past the Hokies, 162-138, to cap off a great day in the pool and on the boards.
“I’m very pleased with how the team competed and raced today,” said head coach Brian Barnes. “We performed better against Purdue than we did the opening weekend and we performed better today than we did against Purdue. That’s a good trend to have. I thought we did a better job with the details of racing, which is something we talked a lot about this week. We also showed great depth today and we just looked like a better prepared and better coached team. I’m proud of them.”
Highlighting the day for the Irish were three individual victories each from standouts Emma Reaney and Kelly Ryan and two individual wins by freshman Katie Miller.
Ryan, who is a two-time NCAA qualifier, swept the short distance freestyle events as she was victorious in the 50, 100 and 200.
“Kelly did a heck of a job today in winning the three free events,” said Barnes. “She wasn’t scheduled to race all those free events, but after we saw her in the 200 free relay and 200 free, we knew she could win the 50. It was a strategy move and it worked out for us.”
Reaney, who improved her season individual event record to 8-1, easily claimed both breaststroke events in NCAA B cut times and also won the 200 IM. A two-time honorable mention All-American in the 200 IM, Reaney was competing in the event for the first time this season.
Miller, meanwhile, continued her impressive freshman campaign with two more individual victories in the 100 back and 500 free and a runner-up finish in the 1,000 free. A versatile IMer, Miller has won three different individual events this season – 200 IM, 100 back and 500 free – while also turning in strong performances in the 1,000.
“I like to take my meet schedule one event at a time and I prepare myself for the next event after each race,” said Miller. “I love swimming different strokes and different events. It keeps each meet really interesting for me.”
Also earning an individual victory for the Irish was junior Bridget Casey, who won the 200 fly for the first time this season after advancing to the NCAAs last season in the event.
The Irish started off the meet on the right foot with a victory in the 200 medley relay as freshman Catherine Mulquin, Reaney, sophomore Catherine Galletti and Ryan churned through the water to touch the pad first.
In addition to Miller in the 1,000, junior Courtney Whyte (100 fly), Mulquin (100 back) and sophomore Lindsey Streepey (1-meter dive) claimed runner-up finishes.
Notre Dame returns home to Rolfs Aquatic Center next weekend for a 5 p.m. Friday dual against in-state opponent Valparaiso and an 11 a.m. Saturday dual with Big Ten foe Wisconsin.
Final Scores
Notre Dame 162, Virginia Tech 138
Notre Dame 193, Pittsburgh 107
Notre Dame Event Wins
200 Medley Relay (1:42.87) – Catherine Mulquin, Emma Reaney, Catherine Galletti, Kelly Ryan
200 Free (1:50.44) – Kelly Ryan
100 Back (55.68) – Katie Miller
100 Breast (1:01.31 – NCAA B Cut) – Emma Reaney
200 Fly (2:02.40) – Bridget Casey
50 Free (23.75) – Kelly Ryan
100 Free (51.30) – Kelly Ryan
200 Breast (2:12.55 – NCAA B Cut) – Emma Reaney
500 Free (4:57.27) – Katie Miller
200 IM (2:01.30 – NCAA B Cut) – Emma Reaney
Notre Dame Runner-Up Finishes
1,000 Free (10:16.95) – Katie Miller
100 Back (55.99) – Catherine Mulquin
100 Fly (56.21) – Courtney Whyte
1-Meter Dive (289.75) – Lindsey Streepey
— Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
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