COLUMBIA, S.C. – The UNC Pembroke swimming and diving squad opened the 2016 campaign Saturday, the first meet in program history, falling to host Columbia (S.C.) and Milligan.

The Black & Gold put four different swimmers in the water Saturday, competing in five separate events. Despite the final tally on the scoreboard, head coach Rhonda Blank saw some things she liked.

"I am very proud of the four that swam today," Blank said. "They all beat some of their personal bests from practices even though their nerves were running wild."

Kelsey Williams reeled in a third-place finish in the 50 freestyle in a time of 29.17 seconds and also took home third in the 100 freestyle in 1:05.09. Williams finished seventh in her third and final event, the 200 freestyle, in 2:25.87.

UNCP's Sonyaliz Goveo put together two top-five finishes, including a third-place mark in the 100 breaststroke in 1:28.11. She finished in 1:15.02 in the 100 backstroke, good for a fourth-place finish. Goveo hit the wall in eighth in the 200 freestyle in 2:27.68.

Both Taylor Lusk and Alexys Pagan competed in the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle. In the 50 free, Lusk finished ninth and Pagan tenth before placing seventh and eighth in the 100 free, respectively.

The Braves are back in the pool October 19 in a tri-meet with host Barton and Ferrum. The meet is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

"We should be very competitive in the meet on October 19," Blank said. "We currently have some injured swimmers and we look forward to getting them back in the water."