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Columbia blanks Stars 4-0
By Jason Stuebe
For the second time in as
many games, the Stars were shutout in their first conference
loss as the Cougars of Columbia trounced the UIS men 4-0 in last
Friday’s game.
“This was by far and away
our worst and most disappointing performance all season,” said
head coach Joe Eck, “We looked out of sync from the start.”
The Stars were sluggish
out of the box, allowing Columbia to strike first with a goal by
Columbia’s Juan Pablo Irrera eight and a half minutes into the
game. The goal was the result of a deflected header by
Columbia’s Vladimir Roganovich leaving UIS goalie Steve Kozeny
stranded on the wrong side.
The Stars’ best chance at
getting back into the game came with a little under 29 minutes
left in the first half when Michael Hutchinson had two excellent
shots within six yards of the goalie. That quickly soured as
the ball was cleared and Columbia’s Irrera made a breakaway move
down field as Kozeny came up to challenge leaving the goal wide
open.
“Hutch had two good shots
which could have tied the game and changed the momentum,” said
Eck.
The second half of the
game presented much of the same, with the Cougars scoring twice
more to complete their rout.
“You have got to give
credit to Columbia though, they are a very good ball club,”
continued Eck, “their counterattack was phenomenal.
We aren’t sure why we
played like we did, we’ll just have to figure that out and then
try to correct it.”
The Stars have seven days
to get back on the ball for this Thursday’s away game at Harris
Stowe.
The Stars, who needed the
win to solidify their chances at a conference title, fell to 7-5
overall and 4-1 in the American Midwest Conference, which
Columbia now leads.
The Stars return home
October 28th for the final regular season match
against Madonna. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Volleyball struggles with
McKendree, injuries, Strikes back at Williams Baptist
By Mark Brockett
The UIS women’s volleyball team
had its share of up’s and down’s this past week. The team lost
two of their starters to injury, dropped a home match to
McKendree and an away match to Missouri Baptist, but played up
to expectations with a victory against Williams Baptist.
The match with McKendree became more of a contest towards the
end of the second game of the match, as UIS was lethargic at the
start. Despite taking game three, the Stars were defeated 30-19,
30-27, 24-30, and 30-27. The match’s outcome is no mystery to
head coach Joe Fisher. “We didn’t have all of the aspects of our
game working at the same time,” said Fisher. “Despite the fact
that we were putting the ball on the floor, we didn’t serve
receive well and our defense was off at times.”
Putting the ball on the floor is no
understatement. Outside hitters Danielle Crossen and Lauren
Sanders had 25 and 20 kills respectively. Middle hitter Audra
Roach added nine kills of her own and controlled the middle of
the net for most of the match. “We communicated very well after
the first two games and we were picking each other up and
supporting one another which led us back into the match,” said
Roach. “These are things that we’ll have to do the rest of the
way to be successful.”
The Stars lost Crossen, due to a sprained ankle
suffered at Missouri Baptist, as well as Maria Ray to a physical
ailment. The team was forced to play some of their players in
unfamiliar positions on the court against Williams Baptist.
However, judging by the 30-20, 30-15, 30-23 victory, the players
handled the first test very well.
“We had to play some people in
positions that they haven’t played in before,” said Fisher. “We
played with a lot of focus today and did the things we needed to
do to secure another conference win.”
One of those players who played
outside of her normal position was senior Sarah Stratton, who
tallied a match high 15 kills from the outside hitter position
and had seven aces. She also served 12 straight points to start
game two, which paved the way for another win. “Right now, its
all about pulling it together and keeping things on track,”
Stratton said. “It was different having some people playing
other positions but we all still played very well.”
Sanders, who was in her normal
outside hitter position, continued her solid play for the team
by adding 12 kills of her own. Roach chipped in nine kills.
The Stars are now 12-17 overall
and 6-4 in the American Midwest Conference. Their first match
back from a few days off will be against St. Francis, which will
take place on the 21st.
Part Deux…
By Jason Stuebe
Considering I haven’t yet received my reassignment papers for
last week’s column, I think I will continue with the Athletic
Task Force Report this week.
When it discusses the relationship between Health Services and
Athletics, the report paints a very troubling picture of
factions in a tug-of-war match with the athletes acting as the
rope. The report describes an instance where a student was not
cleared to play by Health Services but began playing, despite
the objections from Health Services, after receiving an outside
opinion from a personal physician. Since when does the opinion
of a nurse-practitioner trump the opinion of a licensed
physician?!
Furthermore, student athletes are typically in need of
orthopedic care due to injuries sustained while playing.
Therefore, it should be noted that nobody in Health Services has
the background or education in orthopedics that should be
required to maintain our athletes’ physical excellence.
While I do not dispute the quality of staff we have in Health
Services, I do dispute their involvement with Athletics.
Nowhere in the Health Services mission statement does it declare
that they are the first line of health defense for student
athletes. Health Services is here for the general student
population and should focus on that.
Another interesting segment of the report concerns the budget.
It is reported that the Athletics budget ballooned 188% while
the deficit has grown 635% in the past three years. While it
goes without saying that was an ill-fated miscalculation given
the growth that the department has experienced, it must also be
made clear that the problems exist because of unrealized
revenue.
The department’s revenue stems from various sources including
student fees, ticket sales, advertising, fundraising, etc. As I
alluded to last week, the sentiments exhibited by the Task Force
and the administration do nothing but hamper fundraising
attempts. This includes the reassignment of the Athletic
Director on the eve of the department’s major fundraising
drive.
When it comes to the question of responsibility of this matter,
I suggest that everyone take a good look in the mirror.
We have spent however much money (nobody seems to want to
divulge this information – that should be a red flag in and of
itself) on the formulation of this report, and what have we
gotten to show for it? Would it not have been better to
possibly spend that money on implementing changes rather than on
a botched report?
It’s like we have this
broken toilet that won’t flush. Is it better to pay cousin Jed
to look at the toilet and say “yup, you got a problem” or would
it not be more prudent to pay a plumber to come in and actually
fix the problem?
This was an unfortunate situation that was dealt with in an
unfortunate manner. Nevertheless, it’s time to pick up the
pieces and make progress. As always, Go Stars!
UIS steps up to
the big dogs
By Jason Stuebe
The Prairie Stars men’s tennis team headed to Eastern Illinois
University on October 8th-9th for the EIU
Open.
The Stars’ performance was exceptional considering they were
playing Eastern Illinois and Wisconsin-Green Bay, who are NCAA
Division I schools, and the University of Indianapolis which is
NCAA Division II.
UIS #1 senior Alim Mambetov was defeated in the first round
after a comeback by Indianapolis’ Jan Stastny 6-1, 4-6, 7-10.
Also in A Flight action, UIS #2 junior Esteban Czwan was
defeated by Chuck LeVaque 0-6, 0-6. LeVaque went on to win the
A Flight championship.
In doubles action, UIS junior Ryan O’Toole and sophomore Eric
Cromer were defeated 8-4 by Indianapolis’ #2 tandem Ketan Saggar
and Dustin Guthrie in the first round. The ever-productive
Mambetov/Czwan had a bit more success however.
Mambetov and Czwan first defeated the #1 doubles Ross Johnson
and Jan Stastny from Indy 8-5 in the second round after coming
back from a 1-4 start. The dynamic duo then put away the #3
team from Wisconsin-Green Bay 9-8 which sent them to the finals.
While both Mambetov and Czwan felt that they had their best
performances of the day in the championship match, they wound up
losing to the #1 team from Wisconsin-Green Bay 8-6.
Pending any other tournaments being scheduled, this was the
final fall showing for men’s tennis as they prepare for what is
sure to be a successful spring campaign.
Snapshots
Men’s Soccer
The UIS men have moved into the fourth position in the NAIA
Region V rankings this past week. Kudos to coach Eck and
Company for movin’ on up!
Women’s Volleyball
UIS vs. Missouri Baptist (St. Louis, Miss.)
MoBap avenged its earlier loss to the Stars by sweeping the
women 3-0 going 30-22, 30-23, and 34-32. The Stars are now
11-17 and 5-4 in the conference heading into last Saturday’s
Game against Williams Baptist.
CAMPUS
RECREATIONAL SPORTS BRIEFS
INTRAMURAL
SPORTS
Cumberland
United blew past Getting’ Downs in IM Flag Football this
weekend for a 36-12 win. That’s How We Treat ‘Em also took a
win defeating No Names 46-14. Games will continue this Friday
October 22nd at 4pm and Sunday at 1 and 2 pm.
The IM
Tennis Singles Tourney will be held on Sunday, October 24 at
the UIS Tennis Courts beginning at 1:00pm. Submit an entry form
in the CRS Office before 11pm on Wednesday, October 20. The
tournament will consist of Men’s and Women’s Open and Rec
divisions if enough entries warrant; otherwise play will be
mixed. Any current or former intercollegiate tennis athlete
must play in the Open Division. All participants must be at
least 18 years old or a UIS student. UIS students and Rec
Center Members with a valid i-card play for free. UIS
Community Non-Rec Center Members must pay $10 per division.
IM Badminton
Singles League
play begins Monday, November 1 in the UIS Gym. League play will
be scheduled according to players and facility availability.
The tournament will conclude before Thanksgiving Break. If
entries warrant, there will be a Men’s and Women’s Division;
otherwise play will be mixed. All participants must be at least
18 years old or a UIS student. UIS students and Rec Center
Members with a valid i-card play for free. UIS Community Non-Rec
Center Members must pay $10 per division. Submit an entry form
in the CRS Office before 11pm on Wednesday, October 27.
IM
4x4 Co-Rec Volleyball Tournament
will be played
on Saturday, November 6 beginning at 1:00 pm in the UIS Gym.
Play will be mixed team. Teams consist of a minimum of 4 (two
women and two men) and a maximum of 6 players with no more than
two Non-Rec Center Members per roster. Only one present or last
year’s intercollegiate volleyball player is allowed per roster.
All participants must be at least 18 years old or a UIS
Student. UIS students and Rec Center Members with a valid i-card
play for free. UIS Community Non-Rec Center Members/Non-UIS
must pay $10. Non-UIS must sign a waiver form. Submit a team
entry form in the CRS Office before 11pm on Wednesday, November
3.
The IM
Basketball Shooting Contests will be held on Sunday,
November 14 at 4pm in the UIS Gym. There will be a men’s and
women’s division. Deadline to enter the contest is Wednesday,
November 10 at 11pm in the CRS Office. UIS students and Rec
Center Members with a valid i-card play for free.
FITNESS
& INSTRUCTIONAL
Toning
& Conditioning
classes are currently being held through November 19 in the UIS
Gym on Mondays and Fridays from 12:10-12:50pm. Amy Giles is
teaching the class.
Fencing Lessons
are
once again being taught by Dr. Larry Livingston on Wednesdays in
the UIS Gym from 12:10-12:50pm.
Tennis
Lessons
are being taught by Georgena Wulfers on Tuesdays & Thursdays
from 4-5pm at the UIS Tennis Courts. There are 2 more weeks of
classes remaining.
SPORT CLUBS
The Men’s
Club Volleyball team is practicing Mondays and Thursdays
from 7-9pm and Fridays from 5-7pm in the UIS Gym. Any male UIS
student interested in competing extramurally with other college
or USVBA men’s club volleyball teams is welcome to join. Male
students may be undergraduate or graduate; full time or part
time. If interested contact Club President Jim Brower at
jbrow16s@uis.edu.
The Frisbee
Enthusiasts Club practices every Thursday from 5:30-7pm and
Sunday from 3-6pm at the Sport Club Rec Field east of Kiwanis
Stadium. The club participates in Ultimate Frisbee as well as
Frolf (Frisbee Disc Golf). If interested contact Club President
Colin Cook at
ccook04s@uis.edu.
HOW CAN I LEARN ABOUT CAMPUS REC SPORTS NEWS?
(1) Send an
Email to RecSports@uis.edu
to be included in the 2004-2005 Campus Rec Sports News List to
receive personal up-to-date information about future events and
activities. (2) Click on “Public Folders>All Public
Folders>UIS>Announcements>Campus” on your UIS e-mail account and
read the e-mail announcements sent out by UIS Campus Rec
Sports. (3) Check out the website at
www.uis.edu/recsports/. (4) Contact the Campus Recreational
Sports (CRS) Office located in the Fitness Center (SLB 118) or
call 206-6658.
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