For the the third time in four years, senior diver Marci Kacsir will have a chance to dive against some of the best divers in the country.

Kacsir, who has been named Sun Belt diver of the week three times this season, earned the right to compete in the NCAA Southern Diving Zone in Athens, Ga. March 11 and 12. Thanks to a performance at the Sun Belt Conference Championships this past weekend, Kacsir made the qualifier by three-quarters of a point.

“It was kind of unexpected,” Kacsir said. “I am really excited to go. It’s a chance to have fun and dive well.”

The qualifying round to go to the NCAA Championships consists of five zones. The zones are assigned by region. Coach Bill Powell said Kacsir has the priviledge of going to the toughest region in the country – the South Zone.

The region consists of powerhouse conferences such as the Southeastern Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference and some national indepenents.

“It’s far and away the toughest zone in the United States,” Powell said.

But Kacsir is not intimidated.

With past experience on her side, Kacsir is going into the event with a relaxed, carefree attitude. Kacsir said it was a chance to see great divers and old friends who she dove with in high school and have some fun.

Although the meet is a few weeks away, she is not taking time to rest and has a relaxed attitude coming off an exhausting trip to the Sun Belt Championships.

“I was going to take the day off,” Kacsir said. “But I found myself in the pool.”

Reach Wes Watt at [email protected].