THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke opens up its 2011-12 home slate versus Westfield State University Wednesday evening (7:00 p.m.) at the Natatorium. In 19 previous meetings between the programs, the Lyons own a 15-4 advantage. They topped the Owls for the second time in a row last winter, winning by a score of 166-134. Lauren Williams figured in on four first place finishes to set the tone for Mount Holyoke. Meanwhile, Kate Werner and Jenna Tasse contributed to three wins apiece for Westfield State. Meet Program

THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (0-0) got its season underway at the Betty Spears Relays on Saturday. A total of seven squads from around the region participated in the non-scoring competition, which took place at Wellesley College. Lydia Bowers set the tone for the Lyons, who posted five top-five finishes. The team's top performance came in the 200-yard backstroke/freestyle race, where Bowers, Nora Cunningham, Leah Townsend and Sin Seanne Ng combined for a third place finish with their time of 1:52.16. Cunningham, Allison Burhoe, Rachel Boynton and Rui Nozaki took home fourth place in the 500-yard freestyle crescendo relay with their time of 5:12.13. The Lyons also received solid production from Maya Lazarovich and Lauren Williams.

THE OWLS: Westfield State (0-0) also participated in the Betty Spears Relays on Saturday. Kimi Schmidt highlighted the day for the Owls with her outstanding results in the diving events. After taking third place in the one-meter competition (243.55), she grabbed second place (243.55) off the three-meter spingboard. Westfield State also received a boost from Kirsten Lamotte, Jenna Tasse, Kate Werner and Kaylee Hopkins, who secured fifth place in the 500-yard freestyle crescendo with their time of 5:20.16. 

NEXT UP: Mount Holyoke will return to action on Friday, when it visits Assumption College at 6:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Westfield State will travel to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for a dual meet beginning at noon on Saturday.