The CSU East Bay women’s swim team honored their seniors Friday in the last home meet of the year in a loss against the San Jose State Spartans.

While Jenel Lopez, Bethany Hoopman, Jenni Perez, and Erica Crain all finished their final home meet, Coach Ben Loorz took time to reflect on the four seniors individually.

“Jenel Lopez has certainly been a huge asset,” said Loorz, who gushed over the 2012 East Bay Athlete of the Year. “To lose her as a senior is certainly tough. She’s nationally ranked. She’s definitely our leader in terms of being a captain and in terms of speed as well. She’s awesome.”

Loorz also felt an immense amount of respect for the two four-year seniors on his team in Bethany Hoopman and Jenni Perez. Each survived the transition between head coaches, which Loorz noted as being no small feat.

“It’s really unique to change between the styles of coaching. The previous style, which was a little more lackadaisical to my style, which is a more intense,” Loorz explained. “They really stepped up and answered that call, it speaks volumes about them.”

When asked about this transition and what change took place, Hoopman replied, “any change there could’ve possibly been.”

“He is more attentive, works with us individually and helps us in and out of the pool,” she explained.

The final senior, Erica Crain, has only been swimming at CSUEB for one year yet clearly left her impression on the team.

“She’s been great,” said Loorz. “We are definitely going to miss her. I wish we would’ve had her for more years.”

Loorz believes this whole group of seniors have changed the culture of the East Bay swim program and left a lasting impression, which won’t be soon forgotten.

Lopez’s impact in particular has been important for the team but when asked about how her season went, Lopez is more inclined to talk about the team.

“It’s been a great season, we have a lot of new girls and it’s been a lot of fun competing with them,” said Lopez. “It’s like we’re a big family.”

Lopez seems to brush aside the accolades and focus on what she feels is important. “Being a good leader, motivating the new girls and knowing I was a good role model for them is awesome.”

While humble, Lopez has high expectations for herself and for the final chapter of her swimming career at CSU East Bay. “Last year I had a really good year, I just didn’t make  it to Nationals so this year I’m really hoping I make it there.”

While their season ended in a loss,  the seniors took the time to look back on their careers at CSUEB. Their sights lay on their next goal: the Pacific Collegiate Swimming & Diving Conference Championships.

Coach Loorz took a little time to reflect on how the season has gone so far.

“For us it’s been a good season,” said Loorz, who thinks the real test is still yet ahead of them. “We won’t really know and be able to judge how good of a season it was until we rest and go fast down in Southern California.”

From what he has seen all season, Loorz has high expectations for the upcoming conference championships.

“We have team goals to be top three in our conference, a team goal to put someone at nationals, and really, that everyone shows the payoff for their hard work while recording their lifetime best times,” said Loorz, who has the whole team on the same page, echoing the same goals.

With a focused coach and a team headlined by a group of seniors, the Pioneers are looking to make a splash at the Conference Championships in Long Beach on February 13.