HAYWARD, Calif. -- The #21 ranked Cal State East Bay swim team is back in action this weekend with a quick trip up to Mills College in Oakland. The Pioneers take part in a five-team dual meet at Trefethen Aquatic Center on Friday afternoon before returning the next morning to compete in the annual Bay Area Invitational.

Friday's dual pits East Bay against Mills, whom they defeated in head-to-head competition two weeks ago, as well as Soka University of America, College of Idaho, and conference rival Biola. Those same five squads will be in the pool Saturday for the Bay Area Invite, with UC Santa Cruz joining the fun as well.

The Pioneers have impressed in early-season action thus far despite having to replace three graduated All-Americans, including two of the most decorated swimmers in school history. But the squad also has a trio of returning All-Americans leading the way this year in senior Vivy Hua, junior Allie Klinger, and sophomore Serene Augustain.

After those three, East Bay has displayed strong depth in its first few competitions. Senior Maddie Hulse has been stellar in the freestyle, topping Augustain for a victory in the 200 Free against Mills. In short distance, junior newcomer Lauren Ostrander has excelled alongside Hua. In the long distance, sophomore transfer Landry Walker has joined sophomore Peyton Wayment, who already owns program records in the 1000 and 1650 Free.

In the breaststroke, a pair of rookies in Rebecca Bay and Ciera Nasso have turned in solid performances this Fall as they look to replace the production of now-assistant coach Claire Beaty.

The butterfly has a chance to be an extremely strong stroke for the Pioneers this year. Junior Victoria Zukeran has paced the squad in both 100 Fly races this season, while Klinger, Hua, and sophomore Tatum Roepke all impressed in the 50 Fly. 

Roepke also leads a solid core of backstrokers, which includes Hua and Klinger in the 50. In the 100 and 200 distances, senior Miranda McDonnell and freshman Alondra Ortiz are tops on the team so far.

The Pioneers will look to their veterans to earn points in the individual medley events. Klinger and Augustain have the talent to post strong IM times, while Zukeran and seniors Laurel Carpenter and Ryleigh Weight have displayed impressive progress over their careers.

This weekend begins a stretch in which CSUEB will compete four times over the next month to wrap up their Fall schedule. After Friday's dual and Saturday's Invitational, the Pioneers visit UC Davis for a head-to-head matchup on Nov. 2 before heading to SoCal for the three-day Collegiate Winter Invitational Nov. 30-Dec. 1. 

Finally, there is less than a week left to contribute to the East Bay swim team's 2018-19 Fundraising Campaign, when ends Oct. 31.