CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois swimming & diving team will welcome Michigan State to town for the final regular-season dual of 2014-15. Action will begin at the ARC Pool at noon on Saturday, Jan. 31.
“The girls have recovered well from last weekend,” said head coach Sue Novitsky. “We have our energy and focus back heading into Michigan State, and the rest of the team wants to send the seniors out on a high note.”
The Spartans enter the weekend with a 3-7 record in dual meets. They are coming off a win against Oakland on Jan. 31. In the all-time series between Illinois and Michigan State, the Illini hold a 15-9 (.625) advantage, including wins in each of the last six meetings.
“Recently, it always seems like our duals with Michigan State have come down to the final relay,” Novitsky noted. “They have some really strong individual athletes that are going to challenge us.Saturday is going to be a total team competition and everyone is going to have to contribute.”
In addition to the swimming and diving competition, Illinois will be honoring its group of eight graduating seniors. Hailey Booth, Kayla Dlugopolski, Emily Fung, Sabrinne Gibson, Megan Marchuk, Callan McDermott, Alison Meng and Erika Murphy will all be competing at the ARC for the final time on Saturday.
“Our group of seniors have brought a lot of different aspects to the team over their careers,” Novitsky continued. “They have all contributed so much to the team, whether it be in the pool, in the classroom or in the community. They are total student-athletes. They are proud to represent the University of Illinois and we are glad to have had them.”
