Same team, different coach, better results.

That seems to sum up the season of Amanda Smith, who just finished a successful junior season as a member of the University of North Carolina swimming team.

The Evans City native set several personal bests this year, due in part to working with another of the Tar Heel coaches.

"This year I had as good a year as I expected," said Smith. "I switched coaches and tried to see how that would go.

"I swam with (head coach) Frank Comfort the first two years then switched to Randy Erlenbach. He's a middle distance coach and Coach Comfort is more of a sprint coach," Smith added.

That also came as Smith worked more on the 500 freestyle and some of the longer distances.

At the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships two weeks ago, Smith set lifetime bests in the 500 free (4 minutes, 48.51 seconds) 400 IM (4:18.05, fifth) and 200 free (1:50.67).

As a member of the 800 freestyle relay team, she placed third at the championship meet.

"She really got on track and did better this year," said Comfort. "She's improving. She had another great year. She started training more in distance."

Smith, who was slowed as a freshman due to a shoulder injury, came back with a solid sophomore campaign last year, which ended with an ACC-record as a member of the 800-yard freestyle relay team.

She also won the consolation final to take ninth in the 400 IM (4:22.29) and was 10th in the 200 IM (2:03.85) and 11th in the 200 freestyle (1:50.87).

This year, her strong season continued even though she's accepted the fact her shoulder injury, which consists of loose joints, will still linger.

"I achieved everything I hoped," said Smith. "I didn't really have my shoulder problem until after Christmas.

"I just swim through the pain now," she added.

Smith had amazing success at the high school level, including three state and six WPIAL titles plus a trip to the U.S. Olympic Time Trials in 2000 after her senior year, that it seems her success in college hasn't been the same.

"I expected things to be a little different," said Smith. "To see the team and others going through everything I was as well really helped me.

"Now, I like how things are going," Smith added.

The Tar Heels finished the season ranked 16th in the national duals poll with ACC teams Maryland and Virginia at 12 and 14, respectively.

"She's a tough, hard-nosed kid," said Comfort. "She's managed her injuries and been productive.

"Amanda will be a leader," he added.