The Henderson State men's and women's swimming teams will open their season at home against Ouachita Baptist Friday evening at 6 p.m. at the Duke Wells Center Natatorium.

"I'm excited to get the season started," Coak Matthews, head coach, said. "Our guys and girls both looked great at the Red/Gray intrasquad meet last week."

For the women's team, seniors and team captains Jeanne Miller, Lauren Sutton, and Mary Andrews will be expected to anchor the unit.

"I expect her to make nationals again this year," Matthews said of Miller. "I fully believe she will break the school records that she broke last year."

All three were named to the NSISC All-Conference Team a season ago.

Miller was named to the 2014 CSCAA Individual Scholar All-American team and placed 19th in the 200 butterfly at the NCAA Division II Swimming National Championships in Canton, Ohio last season.

Her younger sister, Jessica, was also voted to the NSISC All-Conference Team last season, and will be expected to contribute this year.

Sutton placed 2nd in the 200 Freestyle at last season's NSISC Championships, while Andrews scored in three events, finishing in fifth-place in the 200 butterfly and the 100 backstroke.

Matthews was high on freshmen Rachel McKenzie, Rachel Ferguson, Zoe Peak, Sarah Medellin, and Maddie Samples, and expects them to contribute to the Red Wave in 2014.

On the men's team, seniors Aaron Villemez and Will Parmer will be the captains.

"Aaron has looked great in practice this summer, and he's made great strides since last year," Matthews said.

Villemez scored in both freestyle events at the 2013 NSISC Championships, swimming to a fifth-place finish in the 200 and sixth-place in the 100. He also finished in first -place against OBU in the 100 last season.

Parmer participates in the distance events and placed seventh in the 1000 Freestyle at the NSISC Championships last season.

"Will is a great leader and mentor," Matthews said. "He always makes sure the freshmen are where they need to be, and he'll be relied on for leadership this season."

Other swimmers who look to contribute this season are Guy Buls, Matt Gribble, Colton Laramore, and Austin Bryant.

As a sophomore last season, Buls was a member of the 200 Medley Relay team that finished fourth at the NSISC Championships last season. He also finished in first place in the 200 freestyle against Rhodes College during his freshman season.

Buls, Laramore, Villemez, and freshman Max Pohl were all selected to the NSISC Preseason All-Conference Team.

"I think our men's and women's teams are both better than they were last season," Matthews said. "The biggest difference this year will make is going to be our depth. That is going to be the one of the biggest deciding factors in our wins and losses."