NEW ORLEANS - The 2009-10 season will officially open on Saturday at 12 p.m. for the University of New Orleans women's swimming and diving squad as they compete against crosstown rival Tulane at the Reilly Center in the first annual "Fleur de Lis Cup" dual meet.
The dual represents a renewed rivalry for the UNO women against a Tulane program that was reinstated this past fall. To help usher in the return of the rivalry, the Fleur de Lis Cup, a traveling trophy, has been instituted ahead of the dual and will be presented to the winner.
As Privateer head coach Randy Horner enters his third season on the Lakefront, he has a vastly different team infront of him. A squad that was split relatively evenly amongst seniors and freshmen a year ago, now features one comprising of a lone senior with the remainder representing the freshmen and sophomore classes.
For the UNO, success will depend on the young squad and how quickly they develop. If the intrasquad meet on Sept. 19 was any indication of what the future brings, Horner has a lot to look forward to.
During the intrasquad meet, freshmen won 6 of 8 events with the newcomer trio of Claire Barron, Haydn Maclean and Laura Cempel winning two events apiece.
While the newcomers have already made an impression, the Privateer coaching staff has noticed faster times from the returnees.
Headlining that group is Eva Hannesdottir, who won a national championship in her native Iceland, in addition to competing at the Small Nations Games in Cyprus. The school-record holder in both the 100 free (51.06) and 200 free (1:50.73) will look to lower both marks while playing an active role in the UNO relays.
Other key returnees include senior Tess Sweatman and a pair of sophomores in Catalina Mendieta and Taylor Reynolds.
The meet represents the return of Tulane to the pool.
The Green Wave swimming and diving team was suspended in wake of Hurricane Katrina and under head coach Lena Guarriello features a squad with 16 freshmen and a lone junior.
A rivalry that has been dormant for several years, the Green Wave hold a 6-0 edge an all-time series against the Privateers that dates back to 1986, with their most recent victory coming in the form of a 169-40 Tulane win at Reilly Center in Nov. 2004.
To attend the dual, fans are encouraged to park at the Diboll parking garage adjacent to the Reilly Center and up the street from the Tulane baseball complex.
Following the meet, the women will have two weeks off before they join their male counterparts in Denton, Texas on Oct. 17 when they face Sun Belt rival North Texas. The men will contest a dual against SMU.
