Virginia vs. North Carolina Women

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, January 25. THE 11th-ranked Virginia women's swimming and diving team defeated No. 14 North Carolina 182.5-117.5 Saturday at the Aquatic and Fitness Center. The meet was broadcast and can be archived on the Internet online at www.ACCSelect.com.

The 200 medley relay team of Mei Christensen, Katherine McDonnell, Liz Shaw and Kristen Wallace put up a win in the first event of the afternoon, posting an NCAA B time of 1:41.29.

"The women came in with a little more confidence," Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino said. "Seeing how the men were able to battle back lifted their spirits. They also saw where the men made their mistakes, not jumping on the first few races."

Jenna Harris and Megan Evo tied for first-place honors in the 200 free, both touching at 1:48.95. Harris went on to win the 500 free (4:50.38) and teammate Jen Narum placed second (4:50.71). Evo, meanwhile, took first in the 100 fly, leading a trio of Cavaliers. Evo finished in 55.16 while Shaw was second (55.18) and Lauren Smart third (55.87). Narum also won the 1000 free in 9:47.39.

Virginia went 1-2-3 in the 100 back. Christensen led the way in an NCAA B time of 53.95, followed by Smart (55.25) and Erika Stewart (56.47). Christensen went on to take first in the 200 back, clocking a time of 1:57.39, another provisional mark.

The Cavaliers also went 1-2-3 in the 200 IM. Shaw won the race in 2:03.09 while McDonnell followed closely behind (2:03.45). Claire Crippen was third (2:04.18).

McDonnell was a double-event individual winner, claiming the 100 breast (1:02.68) and 200 breast (2:15.04, B). Shaw, meanwhile, also took top honors in the 200 fly (1:58.40, B).

"Probably the woman who had one of the greatest dual meets of her career was Kat McDonnell," Bernardino continued. "Her two breaststroke swims were spectacular and that is going to help our team down the road, to have her really breaking through at the big time level now."

"I had a best time in the 200 so I was really happy about that," McDonnell said. "I feel like I am in a really good place right now and I am looking forward to stepping up at ACCs."

The 400 free relay squad of Evo, Christensen, Wallace and Kristen Moores finished the meet with a win, clocking a time of 3:22.23, an NCAA B time.

First-year Sarah Andrekovich took second on the 3-meter boards (245.03) to lead the Virginia divers.

The Cavaliers are back in action at 1 p.m. tomorrow against Duke. The meet will mark the final home event of the 2008-09 season for the Virginia swimming and diving teams.

Special thanks to Virginia for contributing this report.

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