BROOKLYN, N.Y. --  The LIU Brooklyn women's swimming team (8-2) will dive back into a double dual meet on Saturday, when they face Monmouth and Saint Peter's at 12 noon in Jersey City. This marks the first of three consecutive Saturdays the Blackbirds will compete, leading up to the NEC Championships in mid-February.

BLACKBIRDS' TRAINING TRIP
The Blackbirds came back to campus this week after training in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida during the January break. "Without question, this was one of the most productive training camps that I have ever been a part of," said third-year head coach Matt Donovan. "The workload was high and the team spirit was even higher. This team can accomplish great things in the second half of the season and we are very eager to see what these Blackbirds can do in the pool."

LAST TIME IN -- 3RD PLACE AT ECAC'S
The last time LIU Brooklyn women's swimming competed, the team earned the program's first-ever team medal with a third place finish at the 2018 ECAC Winter Swimming & Diving Championships, held at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in Long Island, N.Y. The Blackbirds won a school-record 12 total medals (five gold, four silver, three bronze), with four relay titles and a gold medal by senior Briana Vega in the 50 freestyle for the second straight season.

SAINT PETER'S & MONMOUTH OUTLOOK
The host Peacocks, led by sophomore breaststroker Rachel Valentine, have yet to win a dual meet this season. The Hawks, led by freshman backstroker Camryn McHugh are 4-5 on the year and have topped SPU two years running in MAAC regular season play.

SERIES HISTORY BETWEEN THE 'BIRDS, HAWKS AND PEACOCKS
LIU in 2-0 all-time against both schools with double dual wins in each of the last two seasons, in Jersey City in 2017 and in West Long Branch, N.J. in 2016. Last year, the Blackbirds won thirteen of the fourteen events on the day, including both relays with Noemie Lacroix-Moreau and Amanda Peren each winning three individual events and a relay to lead the squad.

SENIOR DAY IN BROOKLYN
The Blackbirds will wrap up their home schedule next Saturday, January 26, with a 12:00 noon start against Northeast Conference foe Wagner. The meet will also serve as a salute to the program's first trio of four-year seniors: Mads Carrigan, Nathalie Meyers and Briana Vega.