Women's Swimming Extends ACC Winning Streak

But a huge win is just what the North Carolina women delivered Saturday morning at Koury Natatorium as they pounded No. 16 Maryland

203-96.

Ninth-ranked UNC (7-1, 4-0 in the ACC), took 12 out of the meet's 16 events to defeat the Terps for its seventh straight victory. The loss was Maryland's first to an ACC opponent this season.

"We are very proud of how many events we won," said senior Summer Mack, one of 11 Tar Heel men and women swimming in their last home meet. "To swim well for every event is great."

UNC's convincing win against a talented Maryland squad is even more impressive coming this late in the season.

The Tar Heels' long and grueling swim season started in October and continues through the NCAA Championships in late March.

"We had a lot of good swimmers who stepped up for us today," senior Erika Acuff said. "We were all really tired."

After a short ceremony honoring the departing seniors, the women started the morning off right by taking the 200-yard medley relay.

North Carolina's 'A' relay team, comprised of sophomore Christy Watkins, junior Katie Hathaway, Mack and Acuff touched in nearly three seconds ahead of their Maryland counterparts.

Mack, one of four UNC women to notch wins in two individual events, also won the 100- and 200-yard backstroke.

Acuff added a victory in the 200 individual medley and won the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:48.95.

"I am happy with my performance overall," Acuff said. "The 200 free was a (personal) best time."

Also adding double individual victories were Hathaway in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and Molly Sullivan in the 500 and 1,000 free. Sullivan swam to an easy win in the 1,000, finishing nearly eight seconds ahead of her teammate, senior Lauren Silva.

At the other end of the pool, the Tar Heel divers used their depth to contribute to the team score.

Although Maryland's Ashleye Henyan won both the 1- and 3-meter diving events, UNC's Lindsay Waddell, Ashley Benner and Elizabeth Misti all earned points for North Carolina.

Finishing off the afternoon with a victory, Mack, Acuff, and Hathaway, along with freshman Jessi Perruquet, combined for a time of 3:25.73 in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Tired as they were, North Carolina's easy win sends a message to the rest of the ACC, and to the country.

"The way we swam today is evident of how we will swim at ACC's," Mack said.

"We've been dominant in the conference, and we want to prove to everyone that the ACC has a lot to offer."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.