MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Lindsey Wilson College's Elena Nikolaeva and Kate Spaulding each earned national cuts as the Blue Raider women's swimming team traveled to Rhodes (Tenn.) College on Sunday.

Nikolaeva recorded the first A Standard for the Blue Raiders this season while Spaulding picked up a B Standard during today's dual. The national standards are set by the NAIA for each event to determine who earns a trip to the national championships in March.

Despite the national cuts, Lindsey Wilson could not overcome the sheer numbers of Rhodes en route to a 76-19 loss. The Blue Raiders fall to 3-2 on the season in duals with the loss while the Lynx improve to 2-2.

In addition to the individual cuts today, the Blue Raider 400-yard medley relay team also earned an A Standard in the first race of the day. The quartet of Nikolaeva, Spaulding, Susan Harrington and Stephanie Davis produced a time of four minutes and 20.15 seconds to qualify for nationals.

The A Standard did not equate to a win as the Blue Raiders finished were nosed by Rhodes' top team by just 16-hundreths of a second.

While the team earned their A Standard, Nikolaeva earned hers during the relay.

Swimming the 100 backstroke, Nikolaeva posted a time of 1:02.21 in the leadoff position to eclipse the national standard by 48-hundreths of a second. Later during her 100 backstroke individual event, Nikolaeva won by more than a second with a time of 1:03.45.

Spaulding picked up her B Standard -- narrowly missing A Standard -- in the 100 breaststroke. She dominated the race en route to a win with a time of 1:12.75 -- nearly three seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.

Sarah Wood joined Nikolaeva and Spaulding in the winner's circle today as she captured the 1000 freestyle. Wood won the event by 10 seconds with a time of 11:45.81.

Lindsey Wilson returns to action at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 10 as the Blue Raiders host duals against Campbellsville (Ky.) University and Union (Ky.) College at the Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center.