On Friday, despite a solid effort and several season-best times, the women's swimming and diving team fell to Ohio State 136-104. The team then traveled to Cincinnati after a day's rest to compete on Saturday.
Cincinnati was able to claim 10 events, and cruise to a 150-93 victory over the Cardinals.
Friday's home meet was close and the team was pumped coming in, knowing they would be swimming in front of family and friends.
Freshman breaststroke swimmer Karla Bailey fared best against the Buckeyes, claiming first place in the 200-yard individual medley (2 minutes, 8.83 seconds) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.68.) Bailey's 2:08.83 in the 200-yard IM was a season-best time.
Ball State also picked up some points in the 50-yard freestyle. Melissa Keilen, Sarah King and Rachel Gingerich took the three top spots in that event.
"We stepped up and swam our best against them," Keilen said. "It's crucial that we get a win now so we have more of a positive outlook heading into the Mid-American Conference Championships."
Joey Duncan, Mandy Hammond, and Keilen all had season-best times in their respective events, but failed to notch first-place finishes.
The Buckeyes were able to sweep the diving events, which head coach Laura Seibold-Caudill said proved to be the difference in this close meet.
"We maxxed out our abilities in that meet, said Seibold-Caudill. I was pleased with our effort. Ohio State is just a step above us talent-wise."
After the heartbreaking defeat, the team was back on the road to face the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday.
The women were able to get a jump-start on Cincinnati by winning the 400-yard medley relay in 4:04.21. But the Bearcats dominated the majority of the night, winning 10 of 13 events.
Bailey and sophomore backstroker Kait Martin were the sole winners on the night for Ball State, placing first in the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 200-yard individual medley, respectively.
"Fatigue was a big factor in Saturday's meet, Seibold-Caudill said. "But we need to learn how to deal with fatigue better. That is what makes the difference between winners and people who are just playing a sport for the heck of it."
The Cardinals have now fallen below .500 for the first time this season, dropping to 4-5 on the year after losses to Ohio State and Cincinnati.
Now the team has a week of hard training to look forward to before its next meet on Jan. 26. It will be a home dual meet against MAC rivals Buffalo and Bowling Green.
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