Lost ... and found.

Tennessee women's swim coach Matt Kredich lost his best swimmer before he left the University of Richmond to coach the Lady Vols.

The lower part of Brooke Boncher's leg was crushed by a huge boulder prior to her senior season in 2005.

She spent two seasons - most of that time in rehabilitation - hoping to race again. Well, she's ready to go ... except that she will compete this season as a Lady Vol.

Actually, she requested a transfer last year and continued to undergo therapy while at UT. Kredich's successor at Richmond, Matt Barany, and the NCAA approved the transfer. She was granted a medical redshirt year.

With the loss of 2006-07 point-productive seniors Megan Tomes and Tiffany Clay, Boncher is expected to play an integral part among this year's freshmen and transfers.- a class Kredich calls very talented, and the best group of newcomers he's had as he begins his third season at UT.

The Lady Vols lost only four to graduation, so they're expected to be much improved over their fourth-place SEC finish in February. They'll get a good idea Saturday when they swim at Louisville.

Among the five freshmen and two transfers are a couple of divers. Another is expected to join the Lady Vols in January.

Boucher has swum the 50-yard freestyle in 22.64 - just .09 of a second slower than former Lady Vol Nicole de Man's NCAA winning swim of 22.55 in 1994.

And with the way Lady Vols senior and a tri-captain Christine Magnuson, sophomore Michelle King have improved in freestyle and butterfly sprints, Boucher is expected to give UT's short races and relays quite a boost.

Boucher also has swum the 100 butterfly in 53.32. That is the fastest for any Lady Vol other than Magnuson.

Gone are team record-holders.

"On paper, this is the best class I've ever recruited, said Kredich, who is beginning his seventh season as a college coach.

And as he named each of the newcomers he was certain the new class will more than offset the losses of the four seniors.

The other new Lady Vols have talent, too.

Freshman Jodie McGroarty is one of Britain's top divers, Kredich said. She will train at home for the 2008 Olympics until reporting to UT in January. Kredich believes she will have an immediate impact at the SEC and NCAA levels.

Tennessee high school 1-meter champ Jill Pierce from South-Doyle will add depth. She was state diver of the year in 2004.

And there's sophomore Alex Barsanti, a transfer from Clemson.

"She contacted us because she wanted to train with swimmers who have similar aspirations," Kredich said. " Her coach - Chris Ip - gave her a glowing recommendation."

Bersanti, a sophomore, has been 1:03 in the 100 breaststroke, 2:20 in the 200 breast and also swims sprint freestyle. She's expected to contribute at the SEC level immediately.

Sarah Sargent, of Brentwood, Tenn., brings fast times in the 50 freestyle (22.8), 100 (50.9) and 100 butterfly (55.8). Kredich thinks she will be a big help to the sprint relays and is capable of scoring at the NCAAs. She is the state 50 freestyle champ, and Kredich says she has great strength and talent.

Morgan Farrell of Pensacola, Fla., is a similar talent - 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 100 butterfy (55.0) and 200 freestyle (1:50). Her versatility gives Kredich many options.

Tricia Weaner is of a similar mold (54.9 in 100 back, 55-plus in 100 butterfly, 1:58 in 200 back and 1:50 in 200 freestyle.

"Morgan and Tricia give us two good sprint backstrokers who can replace Megan Tomes," Kredich said.

Kredich believes he has a versatile and talented distance freestyler and 400 IMer in Aleksa Akersfeld of Bronxville, N.Y. She has been 4:53 in the 500 freestyle, 4:21 in the 400 IM, 2:01 in the 200 back and 2:02 in the 200 butterfly.

He believes he has an adequate replacement for the departed Clay, who was the team's top breaststroker. That would be Martina Moravcikova of Czechoslovakia. She has been 1:11 in the 100-meter breaststroke, 2:35 for 200 meters - which, Kredich says, puts in at the same level as Clay. She also swims the 400 IM.

Put that talent with a team that continues to improve and the Lady Vols should be much more competitive this season.

Senior Christine Magnuson swam for the U.S. team in the Japan Grand Prix, finishing fourth in the 100-meter butterfly and swimming the fastest leg on the U.S.400 freestyle relay that won a bronze medal. She was third at the U.S. Senior Nationals in the 100 butterfly.

Then there's sophomore Michelle King, who has an Olympic qualifying time in the 200 IM. Although she came to UT as a sprinter, she's eager to compete in the 200 and 500 freestyles and 200 IM.

Kredich says he expects Carly Mathes to be on of the SEC's best in the 200 freestyle and 200 IM. Yet, he plans for her to swim more 200 butterfly. A virus upset her plans in the SEC her freshman year.

The team is well-stocked with veteran divers, too, in Lauren LeRoy, Vicky Linnell and Staley McCartney - especially with the addition of the freshmen.

"We're significantly better this year and believe we're closing the gap on the SEC's best," Kredich said. "Florida could be the team to be this season, but Auburn and Georgia are always tough. Georgia had the best recruiting class in the country.

Seniors Magnuson, LeRoy and Ashley Quinn are captains.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.