Oct. 12, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Start “An Evening with the Gamecocks” early on Friday as the University of South Carolina women’s swimming and diving team open up the 2006-07 season. They will host the Arkansas Lady `Backs at 5 p.m. at the Blatt P.E. Center. Admission is free. Fans are encouraged to come over before volleyball, soccer and Hardwood Hoopla begin later in the evening.

“I am looking forward to competing. This is our seventh week of training and I think we are all just anxious to get out there and perform,” said head coach Don Gibb. “I am pleased with how we have been practicing, and I think the girls are chomping at the bit to get out there.”

The Gamecocks have 17 returnees, including NCAA All-American Christy Williams and NCAA participant Lindsey Tiberio. USC placed sixth at the SEC Championships last year and Arkansas placed ninth. This is the first dual meeting between the two teams since 2003. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 7-2.

“It is good we will start against an SEC opponent”, said Gibb. “It will also be good to see the newcomers compete. This will be my first time to see them in competition and I am looking forward to see how they do.”

This marks the first of four home meets this season. The men begin their season next week when the Gamecocks travel to Athens, Ga. to take on UGA and Georgia Tech.