The UConn women’s swim and dive team is returning to competition as they host Villanova at Storrs, Conn. for their 2025-26 home opener on Saturday, Oct. 18, with the event scheduled to start at noon. This meet against the Wildcats marks their first Big East contest and their second overall.
An early-season invitational at West Point, N.Y., featured several notable teams, including Army, Marist and Central Connecticut State University. The event was highly competitive, with the Huskies performing well and finishing in second place.
Throughout the competition, the Huskies accumulated a total of 787 points, behind the Army’s total of 1,018 points. The meet provided valuable experience for all teams involved and set an exciting tone for the rest of the season.
The team performed well overall, with two standout individual victories. Sophomore Jessica Sheng led the way by winning the knockout 50-yard freestyle. She was also joined by her classmate Sydney Perkins, who won the 150-yard breaststroke with a time competitive with her season best. Additionally, the Huskies earned top three placements in both the 400-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay, showing promising relay depth early in the season.
Last season, the Huskies finished with a 7-2-1 record overall, ending the year in second place at the BIG EAST Championships. The team plans to build on that success, supported by a veteran core. The leadership group features divers Olivia Denery and Kate Cooper, along with key swimmers Kiera Liesinger and Lexi Martino. The immediate impact of sprinters like Sydney Perkins further strengthens this veteran presence.
This year’s success will rely on how well the Huskies address the gaps left by a talented graduating class, including Maggie Donlevy, Niamh Hofland, Amelia Schaefer, Kayla Mendonca and diver Julia Pioso. The recruitment of six new athletes demonstrates the coaching staff’s dedication to rebuilding the team for a potential conference championship run.
The stage is now prepared for a competitive clash against Villanova, which will make its season debut. As the first Big East opponent this year, this meet provides UConn with an early chance to both gauge their skills against conference rivals and highlight the strength of their experienced swimmers and talented sophomores. Make sure to be at the Wolff-Zackin Natatorium on Saturday at noon to find out if the Huskies can successfully defend their home pool.