Page 10 Samuels leads Behrend to 15th win by Nick Zulovich CoUtgkm Staff The Penn State-Behrend Lady Lions volleyball learn continued its winning ways with a victory over Hiram College 15-8,9-15, 15-4 and 15-8. However later in the week the Lady Lions fell to Grove City College 11-15, 15-11, 15-17 and 15-17. In the match against Hiram Coach Wilson earned her 300th career coaching victory. "I didn't even really think about it until after the match. Its the program that's really earned this achievement. I'm just the beneficiary of great players. I'm very happy about it though," she said. Molly Samuels and Mitzi Carter continued their solid seasons with great performances against Hiram. Samuels led Behrend with 15 kills and 15 digs, while Carter contributed 14 kills and 11 digs. Angela Georg added 14 digs and 20 assists. The loss to Grove City was a tough one for the Lady Lions. Coach Wilson said, "It was a real emotional loss for us. I really thought we could force a fifth game (against Grove City). My ldds really worked hard and we let one get away.” Carter led the Lady Lions with 22 kills and added 15 digs. Carrie Grzejka added 18 kills and Samuels had 11. Jen Leone had 16 digs while Georg had 39 assists. Georg said of her role on the team, "I have to handle the hall on every play. Ido get frustrated with myself but if I do it brings the team down. I've had to make a lot of adjustments from playing volleyball in high school. The teams are much Lady Lions ready for spring ‘95 by Brian E. Gregory CoUtgkm Staff You’ve heard of the ‘33 Yankees and the *67 Mets, but have you heard of the ‘95 Lady Lions? Over the past three seasons the Lady Lion Softball Team has compiled a 79-25 record with a .759 winning percentage. Last year they were E.CA.C. runners up. This year they finished up the fall training season at 3-3, but Coach Paul Benim tries not to look too deep into this. “The wins and losses in the fall season are not a good indicator of the success we will have in the spring. Our primary focus is to look at everybody, assess the skills, and see what we have to work on in the weight room,” he said. With most of last year’s Photo by Julie Monark. Up, up and away: Angela Georg warms up. quicker and I have to adjust to playing with new people. But so far we've had a really great season." The team is looking forward to matches against SUNY- Fredonia and Allegheny this week. The team will also hold its own tournament this weekend with Pitt-Bradford, Nazareth, Notre Dame College and Lake Erie College competing. starters returning; the team looks to be strong again. “Our biggest strength up and down the lineup is hitting,” said Assistant Coach Bill Graham. “We had seven players hit above .300 last year. We can’t ask for much more.” Last year the team produced impressive numbers. The “Young Guns” comprised of Julie Stocker, Becky Reed and Emmy Arnett combined for 128 hits, 93 runs, and 35 stolen bases. Sophomore sensation Julie Stocker led the team with a .392 batting average and a single season record 32 RBIs. Reed hit .369 and scored 32 runs while playing great defense at shortstop. Arnett had 17 stolen bases and a team high 35 runs scored to complement an impressive year behind the plate. Sue Mazur and Karen Strait also had great years. Mazur Sports 300th win Hiram gives Wilson win by Erin Morrell CoUtgian Staff Jan Wilson, Behrend's volleyball coach, picked up win number 300 against Hiram College on September 27. Wilson began coaching volleyball at Penn State-Behrend in 1976, and has been successfully guiding the Lady Lions for 19 seasons. Coach Wilson stated the style of play has changed because, "it is a lot more intense. There are more scholarships available and that has changed recruiting. Recruiting is the key part to getting better athletes." "Each year the players are different. This year's team is more like the team from a few Last by R. Carl Campbell HI and Nick Zulovich CoUtgkm Rtporttn The defense of the Behrend men's soccer team has solidified due to the outstanding effort of freshman defensive back Brian Mastalong. He has gained the respect of his teammates and coaches, as well as the respect of the opposition. Mastalong is from Troy, New York and attended Tamarac High School where he lettered in soccer all four years. He chose Behrend through the recruitment of soccer coach Dan Perritano. "He's matured quite a lot over the last few games," stated fellow teammate Sean Blank. "He's got a lot of composure now." "For a tiny guy he tracks his man continuously, then pounces on him until the guy gives up," Blank added. played a rock solid third base while scoring 29 runs and knocking in 24. Strait hit .314 and touched home plate 34 times. Marlesse Schlott batted .387 with 28 RBIs in the cleanup role. Michelle Carino and Deanna Ciminnisi also turned in some great defense in the field. Carino turned sure gappers into outs on many occasions. On the hill, Cherie Varrassa finished 16-8 with a 2.20 ERA. In those 24 games, she struck out 115 batters (4.7 per game) and had 18 complete games. Coach Graham said of Varrassa, “We always have a feeling that if we give her the ball, she’ll pitch well.” In addition to the returners, Benim will also welcome many star freshmen into camp. The recruits are led by Heather Norder and Beth Calhoun of Harborcreek, as well as Jayme Knapp and years ago. The kids enjoy the game, support each other, are fun and playful, and are respectful to the coaching, the game and each other," Wilson said. Coach Wilson also believes that much of her success can be credited to the fact that more students are committed to staying at Behrend for four years. This in tum builds a stronger team. For six consecutive seasons from 1980-1985, Wilson's team won 22 or more contests. In 1984 she led the program to the District 18 Championship. The District 18 Championship is one of Wilson's most memorable moments. "It was a real high for me," said Coach Wilson. defense Student Coach Rusty Brown said, "Brian is a very solid defensive player. He's very composed for a freshman." "He's tough to beat, but when he does get beat he recovers welL He's not a flashy player and he doesn't really stand out on the field, he's just really consistent, and that’s what the team needs,” Brown added. Mastalong commented on his game plan, "I'm out there not to get beat and stick with my man. I'm not going to lose my mark." "This is my first year at defense. I owe a lot to Coach Perritano. I've learned a lot through him." "Soccer in college is much different than high school. It's a more physical game." Mastalong looks forward to every game as a challenge, but the homecoming game sticks in his mind as memorable. "We Casey Koza of the Pittsburgh area. Norder was 9-0 with a 0.76 ERA for Harborcreek High School last year. Koza batted .438 and was named to the All- Western Pennsylvania Inter- Athletic League team. Calhoun and Knapp both posted incredible numbers and hit well ova .500 for the year. “We have a great group of players and when we get them working every day together we’re going to be a great team,” said Benim. “Talentwise matched with experience, this team has the potential to be the most talented team in Penn State-Behrend softball history. They will (also) go against the toughest schedule ever.” Coach Graham admitted that this year’s team is a bit improved over last year’s team because they Thursday, October 6,1994 Wilson has coached and taughi at Penn State-Behrend for over 2C years. She has coached tennis and softball and was conducted into the Slippery Rock Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. Coach Wilson still finds hei work challenging and fun. She continues to enjoy it more every season. When Coach Wilson first came to Behrend there weren't any varsity sports for women. "I never really set goals based on winning. I believe in playing hard not winning. My goal is to let the kids enjoy the game and get them to play hard," Wilson said. The team is currently 15-8. The next match is tonight at home. Photo by Paul Gruse Brian Mastalong - Athlete of the Week played them tough," he said. "I didn't lose my mark." The unselfish play of Mastalong and his ability to adapt to a young team has allowed die Behrend's men soccer team to have a respectful season. have more depth this year. “Last year we weren’t always 100 percent. Now we have Megan (Musante) and other players back and we will be much deeper,” he added. The Lady Lions will head south in March for spring training in Florida. When they return to Erie, key games are the doubleheaders against Baldwin- Wallace, Buffalo State and Allegheny. The team is sure to be up for those challenges. Benim quotes from Aristotle to describe his team this year. “Excellence is a learned and achieved habit and I would put this team in here. Once they practice and learn together we will be a great team.” But, as good as the ‘33 Yanks or‘67 Mets? Possibly. The‘9s Lady Lions look to be truly Amazin’!
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