Ball State's women's swimming and diving team kicked off its Spring Semester schedule with a weekend sweep, conquering Valparaiso 139-80 and crushing Mid-American Conference foe Toledo 208.50-91.50.
Against Valpo, the Cardinals won 11 of 13 events, including sweeping the top three in the 200 IM and 1-meter diving event.
Coach Laura Seibold-Caudill was very pleased with the performances of Michelle Arakgi (200 breast), Michelle Braden (200 fly), and Karla Bailey (200 IM).
"We had some surprising swims," Seibold-Caudill said. "We stepped up. (Bailey) has come around Second Semester. She was a real factor in both meets."
On Saturday, Ball State dominated the Rockets from the beginning as the 200-medley relay team again won. The Cardinals swept the top three in four events -- the 200 free, 200 fly, 1-meter diving, and 50 free. In total, Ball State won 12 of 15 events.
Two girls on the Toledo squad had previously quit the team, and one was suspended. Still, Seibold-Caudill was surprised by the Rocket's showing.
"They're a much better team than that," she said. "They just didn't show up. But I don't rule them out at the end (at the conference meet)."
Ellie McCammon led the way in the 200 free, following Joey Duncan's win in the 1,000 free.
Seibold-Caudill was especially pleased with the distance swimmers' showings.
"I was ecstatic," she said. "Our distance swimmers stepped up big. I thought that was the highlight of the weekend."
Midway through the meet, Ball State led 142.5-64.5, and the domination continued as it won five of the remaining seven events.
Seibold-Caudill was particularly thrilled with the diving team, saying Pavlovich and Katie Boyle in particular had "two awesome meets."
With the weekend's performance, Pavlovich qualified for the NCAA Zone Championships. If she finishes in the top six there, she will advance to the NCAA Championships at the end of the season.
"I was just real impressed with our girls," Seibold-Caudill said. "They had a great attitude. We're on track for a good Second Semester."
Ball State is now 7-4 overall and 1-3 in MAC competition. This Friday, it hosts MAC rival Eastern Michigan at 5 p.m.
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