University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Set Sights on League Title
February 15, 2011 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 15, 2011
By Todd Mounce, Media Relations Graduate Assistant
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The pinnacle of the Southeastern Conference season is upon the ninth-ranked Tennessee Lady Vol swimming team as it travels to Gainesville, Fla., to compete in the second portion of the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships that begin on Wednesday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
The Orange and White (5-2, 2-2 SEC) currently sit in seventh with 32 points at the conclusion of the Diving Championships. Gabrielle Trudeau was the team's top performer, scoring in all three events, including a fourth-place finish on the platform and a seventh-place tally on the 1-meter board.
Having finished fourth the past three seasons, UT will look to improve upon that mark behind a talented core that has fared well in four dual meets against conference foes.
Competing against more than half of conference this season and holding dual meet wins over two league foes, familiarity won't be a problem for the team. UT won 12 events against Arkansas to open the season, went on the road to defeat Kentucky by a score of 177.125.5 and finished runner-up at the Tennessee Invitational, ahead of UK and Alabama.
"After facing five SEC opponents, we know how important it is to be aggressive when we race," said Lady Vol assistant head coach Jennifer Woodruff. "The SEC is one of the best swimming and diving conferences in the country and everyone has outstanding coaches, preparation and talent. The most successful team at this meet will rely on each other and will use their strength as a group."
Tennessee will face tough competition as it will be chasing No. 2-ranked Georgia, No. 3 Auburn and No. 7 Florida for the SEC crown. No. 18 Arkansas and LSU will also be in the hunt for top finishes.
Junior Jenny Connolly and sophomore Kelsey Floyd make up half of the defending SEC 200y medley relay champions. Connolly also finished runner-up in the 100y back last season and ranks third in the conference in the event this year. Floyd holds the fastest SEC time in the 200y fly (1:55.55), which ranks eighth nationally.
Aleksa Akerfelds, a senior, finished third in the 1650y free at the conference meet a year ago. This season, she and freshman Lindsay Gendron have been dominate in distance free events for the Lady Vols, combining for 12 wins between the 500y, 1000y and 1650y free events. Gendron owns the league's best time in the 1000y free (9:45.71) and ranks second in the 1650y free (16:09.02).
Senior Martina Moravcikova registered B-cut times in both breast events this season, while sophomore Breanna Folk placed third in the 100y breast at last season's league meet.
"During the meet, we must remained focused on the present moment and be determined to do something great no matter what the challenge might be," Woodruff said. "This is a special team and they have competed at a very high level all year. Matt (Kredich) and I are proud to coach them and are excited to watch them enjoy success."
The four-day event will feature prelims each day at 10 a.m., with the finals taking place at 6 p.m.
Live video will be available at www.gatorvision.tv and live updates can be found at www.twitter.com/TennLVSwim.
