The start of a new season marks a renewed sense of optimism and excitement for the women's swimming team, which looks to reverse last year's misfortunes and show everyone that UB can be competitive.
This year UB is a much different team, including a change at the top, as new head coach Scott Vanderzell takes the helm.
As an assistant coach for the past five seasons, Vanderzell saw the Bulls finish at the bottom of the Mid-American Conference standings last year with a 3-9 record overall and a measly 0-8 record in conference meets.
Vanderzell believes the team will become competitive in the MAC this year.
"I have a very positive outlook on the season," Vanderzell said. "We have a lot of talented athletes on this team and we should be able to be competitive."
UB is coming off a season where it started 3-1 in non-conference meets, but that momentum didn't carry over to the team's conference match-ups as it lost eight straight. Vanderzell said there should be a drastic difference between last year's team and this year, particularly in the schedule his team faces.
"Our schedule this year favors us in that we don't do a lot of traveling," Vanderzell said. "Last year, we traveled a lot and the MAC is so competitive that if you are constantly on three-hour bus trips, that could make a difference."
The Bulls did have some bright spots last year as returning sophomore Andrea Scharf had the top time in the 50-meter freestyle, posting a time of 24.52 in the MAC championships. Senior Jackie English also posted the top time in the 100-meter freestyle with 53.33 at the same championship. Buffalo is hoping this strong showing can be encouraging for the team's chances this year.
Vanderzell adds that in order for the women on the team to have a competitive edge, they need to be unified and not become individualistic.
"They need to be a team. They need to work together to be successful," Vanderzell said. "Over the past few years they haven't worked together and they've ended up struggling."
Whether the team is going to become better due to the change in the coaching position is yet to be seen. However, Vanderzell believes the team has responded well to him stepping in as coach.
"They've been excellent about it," Vanderzell said. "They've been very encouraging and are willing to do anything to help."
He believes that the Bulls will need to capitalize on their strengths this season in order to succeed.
"Our team all around will be strong," Vanderzell said. "The distance events are going to be something that we will be one of the top teams in the MAC for. I think our butterfly events will be up there too."
Vanderzell does admit his team is at a slight disadvantage when it comes to competing in a long season.
"We need to get more depth on this team," Vanderzell said. "We're a small team this year. Recruiting-wise we hope to get more depth in order to make us a bigger and stronger team, top to bottom."
The team will need to rely on veterans to compensate for its shortcomings. Vanderzell believes the senior class, comprised of Jackie English, Olga Wojcik, Rachel Rubin, Jennifer Raimondi and Meg Brosch, is in position to have an impact this year and needs to seize the opportunity.
"We're looking for the senior class that is stepping in with great leadership to help us big this year," Vanderzell said.
The team will be looking to make some waves in the MAC, despite its size.
"Miami (Ohio) is still top dog in the MAC," Vanderzell said. "We're a small team and we lack depth but I think we can knock off a few teams and be very competitive this year."
This weekend, the Bulls make their first road trip to nearby Canisius, where they hope to start the season on a winning note and use the meet as something to build on for the rest of their season. UB heads home on Saturday for its first meet in the Alumni Arena Natatorium at 1 p.m. versus Siena.
