Ball State University Athletics
WS&D Travels To Miami, Hosts Eastern Michigan
October 29, 2015 | Women's Swimming and Diving
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State women's swimming and diving program will split the weekend on the road, where it will travel to Oxford, Ohio to take on Miami, followed by welcoming Eastern Michigan on Saturday to the Lewellen Aquatic Center at 1 p.m.
Saturday's lineup will test the Cardinals, as Eastern Michigan finished second at the 2014-15 Mid-American Conference Championships, while Friday's host Miami finished fifth overall. Friday's event is slated for a 5 p.m. start.
Last weekend, the Cardinals had an action packed weekend on the road, in which they took on Akron, Toledo, Buffalo and McMaster in two double dual meets on Friday and Saturday. While Ball State fell to Akron 221-78 and to Toledo 195-105 on Friday, they were able to beat McMaster 157-141 on Saturday, but Buffalo downed the Cardinals 219.5-79.5.
Overall, the Cardinals captured eight event victories over the Marauders, while earning one event win over the Bulls. Junior Jessica Extine led Ball State with two individual event wins versus McMaster, taking top honors in both the 50 free (24.63) and the 100 free (53.95). In the same races, Extine finished second and third, respectively, against Buffalo.
Sophomore Amanda Kedzierski was the lone Ball State swimmer to earn an individual victory over Buffalo, topping the 100 breaststroke by touching the wall in 1:05.55. The effort was also good enough to top McMaster giving her two event victories in one swim.
In diving action, senior Madie Zirzow topped both the one- and three-meter competitions against both opponents, with scores of 245.25 and 239.85, respectively. The one-meter mark was a new season-best for Zirzow.
Host Miami is coming off a 185-115 Mid-American Conference loss to Eastern Michigan on Oct. 24. They also opened the season with a 185-106 loss at home to Purdue, although they turned it around for a dominant 144-96 win over Xavier. Last season, Miami finished the MAC Championships fifth overall, and were polled to finish third at the 2016 MAC Championships. Ball State's swimmers will compete against the RedHawks several times this season, including when they travel to Oxford to participate in the Miami Invitational from Dec. 3-5.
Saturday's dual with Eastern Michigan 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. Eastern Michigan was also picked to finished second overall in the MAC preseason poll.
Looking ahead, the women's swimming and diving team will team up with the men's program to welcome Grand Valley State to the 12th annual co-ed Doug Coers Invitational on Saturday, Nov. 21. The event is slated for a noon start at the Lewellen Aquatic Center.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's swimming and diving action, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateWSwim on Twitter.
Players Mentioned
