Eagles Hit the Road for Match Up with Ball State

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EAGLES CONTINUE MAC COMPETITION ON THE ROAD: The Eastern Michigan University women's swimming and diving team continues 2015-16 competition, Saturday, Oct. 31, in Muncie, Ind. versus Ball State. The Halloween showdown with the Cardinals will be the ninth meeting between the two squads since the 2005-06 campaign.

A CLOSER LOOK AT BALL STATE: The Eagles will pay Ball State a visit one day after the Cardinals travel to Miami, Ohio for a bout with Miami. The Cardinals have had a rough go so far this season and now sit at 1-3 overall with a 0-3 mark in the Mid-American Conference.
   Amanda Kedzierski has been a consistent point-earner for the Cardinals, turning in top finishes in the 100 Breaststroke in the early part of Ball State's season. The sophomore swimmer opened the season with a third place finish at the Indiana Intercollegiate, finishing behind a pair of Boilermakers from Purdue. Since the season opener, Kedzierski has turned in two top-three finishes. In a double dual with Akron and Toledo, Kedzierski finished on the heels of an Akron swimmer to take second place. In her latest outing, Kedzierski posted a first-place finish over Buffalo and McMaster. Junior Genna Worthley (Portland, Maine-Deering) and freshman Delaney Duncan (Galesburg, Ill.-Galesburg) will challenge Kedzierski in the pool Saturday, as EMU looks to build on a strong opening to the season.
   Jessica Extine and Katie Horn have also produced top-three finishes for the Cardinals, racing in the 50 Freestyle and 200 Butterfly, respectively. Extine will be faced with swimming against EMU senior Mary Kate MacLean (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-Detroit Country Day) while Horn will race side-by-side with junior Carly Jackson (La Porte, Ind.-La Porte).

RECENT HISTORY VERSUS THE CARDINALS: Saturday's dual with Ball State marks the ninth meeting between the two squads in the last decade. Eastern Michigan holds a 7-1 edge over the Cardinals, dropping the 2010-11 dual, 156-144. Meeting for the first time since the 2013-14 season, the Eagles will look to make it three consecutive wins against Ball State when they travel to Muncie, Ind.

EAGLES SOAR PAST MIAMI IN SEASON OPENER: Fueled by the performances of a cohort of veterans and strong debuts of newcomers, the Eastern Michigan University women's swimming and diving team opened the season with a 185-115 victory over Miami University, Saturday, Oct. 24, in Mid-American Conference competition. The Eagles won 12 of 16 events en route to a season opening win over the RedHawks.
   Juniors Alexis Mitcheltree (Moon Twp., Pa.-Moon Area), Carly Jackson (La Porte, Ind.-La Porte), senior Becca Detro (Carmel, Ind.-Carmel), and freshman Nicole Swartz (Dayton, Ohio-Centerville) won two events each while playing vital roles on relay teams to lead the Eagles past Miami.

FRESHMEN FLOCK MAKES INSTANT IMPACT: Eastern Michigan's clash with Miami provided the Eagles talented flock of freshman with an opportunity to compete against outside competition. Collectively, the group impressed many, showing their ability to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level. Freshmen Michal Liberman (Rosh Haayin, Israel-Begin), Delaney Duncan (Galesburg, Ill.-Galesburg), Dora Vrcic, Stephanie Johnston, Nicole Swartz (Dayton, Ohio-Centerville), Emilie Desnoyers, and Erika Guenther (Hudson, Wis.-Hudson) all provided the Eagles with top-three finishes in some capacity. Swartz turned in the top performances by a newcomer, jumping into the pool and swimming her way to a pair of first place finishes in her collegiate debut.

MITCHELTREE GRABS PAIR OF HONORS FOLLOWING STRONG START TO SEASON: Junior Alexis Mitcheltree (Moon Twp., Pa.-Moon Area) paved the way for the Eagles win over Miami, Saturday, Oct. 24. A key piece on a pair of first-place relay teams, Mitcheltree took home individual wins in the 100 and 200 Baskstroke. In the 100 Back, Mitcheltree turned in the third fastest time in program history before touching the wall in 2:00.98 in the 200 Back. Her time in the second event ranked fourth in program history and finished seconds behind her personal-best. For her role in the Eagles' victory, Mitcheltree earned Mid-American Conference Women's Swimmer of the Week. She also earned Eagle of the Week honors presented by EMU Financial.

YOUNG DIVERS CHALLENGE NCAA RUNNER-UP AGAINST MIAMI: A young Eagles diving squad opened the season against stiff competition, battling 2014 NCAA runner-up, Pei Lin of Miami. Lin finished second in the nation in the 3-meter dive last season after sweeping the diving events at the Mid-American Conference Championships. Despite the tall task, a trio of sophomores challenged Lin for the top spot. Sophomores Becky Deacon (Sherwood Park, Alberta-Vimy Ridge Academy), Mattie Boucha (Northville, Mich.-Northville), and Alli Shereda (Fraser, Mich.-Fraser) turned in strong performances to help the Eagles extend their lead over the RedHawks, Saturday, Oct. 24, in Jones Natatorium. Deacon took second in the 3-meter dive posting a score of 263.25 while Boucha and Fraser placed second and third, respectively, off the 1-meter springboard.

CLOSING IN ON 250: Head Coach Peter Linn's 27-year tenure at Eastern Michigan has guided the Eagles to a number of successes over the years. Following Saturday's win over Miami, Linn's career record on the women's side sits at 59-35 in his 11-year career at the helm of both the men's and women's squads. Additionally, the win moves Linn's total coaching record to 243-91, good for a .728 winning percentage. With plenty of opportunities on the schedule for each of Linn's teams, he could reach the 250 win mark this season.

SENIOR TRIO LEADS THE WAY: All three of the seniors on this year's roster notched top-three finishes in the Eagles win over Miami, Oct. 24. Becca Detro (Carmel, Ind.-Carmel) registered two individual first place finishes, winning the 100 and 200 Freestyle. Mary Kate MacLean (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-Detroit Country Day) added a first place finish in the 50 Free and a runner-up finish in the 100 Free. MacLean and Detro teamed up in the 400 Free Relay, helping the squad to a first place finish in the event. MacLean also helped the 200 Medley Relay to the top spot. Clarice Daniel (Belcamp, Md.) rounded out the trios performance, adding a second place finish in the 200 Butterfly. Together the group totaled eight top-three finishes, amounting to 57 points for the Green and White.

GRUELING SLATE LIES AHEAD FOR EAGLES: The 2015-16 schedule features a trio of duals with squads that won their respective conferences a season ago, and a match up with a Big Ten Conference opponent as well.
   After a pair of Mid-American Conference duals, the Eagles host reigning Horizon League champion, Oakland before welcoming Ohio State to Jones Natatorium. The Buckeyes placed 40th at the 2015 NCAA Championships, thanks to three All-Americans, two of which the Eagles will swim against this season.
   The Green and White close out the home portion of their non-conference slate against 2015 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champion, Wayne State. Following a tilt with the Warriors, the Eagles travel to Akron, Ohio for a conference clash with preseason MAC favorite and 2015 MAC Champion, Akron.
   EMU then closes out their home slate against Bowling Green before closing out the regular season at the Ohio State Invitational.

PRESEASON PREDICTION TABS SECOND PLACE FINSH FOR EMU: After posting its best finish since the 2006-07 season, the Eastern Michigan University women's swimming and diving team was selected to finish second in the Mid-American Conference, the conference announced, Thursday, Oct. 1. Akron was tabbed as the preseason favorite, earning all eight first place votes.
   With the Zips and Eagles voted to take first and second respectively, Miami, Buffalo, and Bowling Green round out the top five. Voted to finish in second place as they did last season, the Eagles will be led by a cohort of returners with 11 newcomers looking to make an impact.

2015 MAC Women's Swimming & Diving Preseason Coaches' Poll
First place votes are denoted in parentheses
1. Akron (8)
2. Eastern Michigan
3. Miami
4. Buffalo
5. Bowling Green
6. Ohio
7. Toledo
8. Ball State

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Players Mentioned

Mattie Boucha

Clarice Daniel

Becky Deacon

Emilie Desnoyers

Becca Detro

Delaney Duncan

Erika Guenther

Carly Jackson

Stephanie Johnston

Michal Liberman

Mary Kate MacLean

Alexis Mitcheltree

Alli Shereda

Nicole Swartz

Dora Vrcic

Genna Worthley

Eastern Michigan Athletics