Page 12 Lady Lions sweep trifecta Tuesday *i % P Photo by Dave Boulos/Collegian Photographer Dig or Die: Junior Jen Leone guides the ball to the setter as freshman Jamie Bideaux adds support. These last six matches have been the best volleyball we've played all season. I think our team can rise to the occasion this weekend. --Coach Sharon Gregory by Nick Zulovich Sports Editor The Penn State Behrend Lady Lion volleyball team is finally as Head Coach Sharon Gregory put it "playing up to their potential." Behrend went 2-0 in tri-match play Tuesday night, beating both Oberlin College and SUNY- "Proven winner" athlete of the week Photo by Colleen Gritzen/Collegian Photographer Glmmle that ball: Athlete of the week Phil Gouker makes a save to preserve a recent shutout for Behrend. » -W ■ uuww,w ijik Fredonia. The Lady Lions were matched up with Oberlin first. Behrend raced out to a 13-3 lead in the first game and went on to a IS-S victory. In the second game the aggressive Oberlin's Katie Ruth allowed the Yeomen to tie up the match with a 15-10 victory. Sports But the Lady Lions easily won the third game 15-4 to claim the match victory. Coach Gregory felt Oberlin was getting predictable on offense which allowed Behrend to position themselves properly on defense. "Erin McCormick was able to position herself for the block against Oberlin's big hitter [Katie Ruth], You knew right away who Oberlin was trying to set the ball up to," explained Gregory. McCormick explained that “I’m glad I can excite the team by making a good play. [Going up to block] is my job.” In the second match against SUNY-Fredonia, Behrend seem to pick up right where they left off. Aces by Amy Good and Angela Georg put Behrend up 5-0 early in the first game. After a time out, SUNY- Fredonia then took advantage of the Lady Lions' mistakes to take a 10-9 lead. But Behrend did not allow another point in the game and went on to win 15-10. Behrend found themselves in a 7-2 deficit in the second game. Then after a series of long rallies back and forth, the Lady Lions came back to win the game and the match 15-10. "SUNY-Fredonia was taller on paper, but they hit by position and you knew where the ball was going," stated a very happy Gregory. Kim Vollmer led Behrend in kills for both matches with 12. McCormick added nine kills and nine blocks. Georg had a good all around evening with 19 assists and eight kills. The Lady Lions had 43 digs over the two matches. With the victories, the Lady Lions improved their record to 8- 16 overall. by Matt Plizga Collegian Staff Once again a member of the men's soccer team has received the Housing and Food Service Athlete of the Week. Freshman goalie Phil Gouker earned honors this week by posting four consecutive shut-outs. Coach Dan Perritano describes his freshman phenom as "a proven winner.” Gouker came from an excellent program at Quaker Valley High School where he developed a “winning mentality." His background at Quaker Valley also allowed him to play against college level competition over the summer. Gouker describes college soccer as "a more mental and physical game than high school soccer." He has adjusted to the new style of play as evident by his five shut-outs in 10 games. Gouker has only given up 13 goals in those 10 games, a mere 1.3 goals per game. "Phil is very athletic and has outstanding lateral quickness," explained Coach Perritano when Freshman Robin Mangus felt the team has really improved over their recent matches. "Everyone is starting to play together. Each of us are getting used to playing together, and we’re starting to gel as a team," commented Mangus. McCormick added, “Our communication has really stepped up. When we talk well on the court is when we are at our best.” The Lady Lions are a power hitting team, but Gregory has brought in an attack that tries to keep the opposition on their heels. "We run various slides and sweeps to try to get the opposition's middle blocker out of position. We're not a strong enough team to just power through a block," Gregory said. ’’Because of the players we have, each one has to be able to do a variety of things out on the court" Last weekend the Lady Lions competed in the Gettysburg College tournament. Though they only finished 1-4 in their pool, each match was pushed to three games. Jen Leone and Vollmer had excellent tournaments. Both Leone and Vollmer racked up 26 kills during the tournament. Georg was the catalyst for keeping the ball in play as she led the Lady Lions with 43 digs. This weekend Behrend holds a tournament of their own starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Camegie-Mellon, Notre Dame of Ohio, and Pitt-Johnstown will do battle with the Lady Lions. Pitt-Johnstown would appear to be the favorite since it is a Division II school. But Coach Gregory feels her team will be ready for any type of competition. asked what makes Gouker so effective. Captain Kevin (Ulf) Rinehart says, "Gouker has been consistent all year. He has made very few mistakes, none of the goals have been his fault" Both teammate Carson McLean and Coach Perritano agree, "Phil is a fundamentally sound player who always makes the big save." Gouker feels his greatest asset is "my ability to read the play." Teammate Brian Fisher says, "Phil is a solid force at the net, and a major reason for the teams success." Despite his obvious prowess in keeping the opposing team off the scoreboard, Gouker gives Gouker has been consistent all year. He has made very few mistakes, none of the goals have been his fault. -Kevin Rinehart Thursday, October 5,1995 Collegian Photographer Practice safe sets: Freshman Robin Mangus sets the ball up for a Lady Lion attack. "These last six matches have been the best volleyball we’ve played all season. I think our team can rise to the occasion this weekend," stated Gregory. McCormick feels it is good for the team to have to play a higher level of competition. “It challenges us to play better. When we play a team that’s better than us, it picks up the spirit of the team to see just how well we can play.” much of the credit to his defense. "Carson, Derrick Lowery, Chris Nelson, Ryan Schenck and Dave Harrison all deserve as much credit for the shut-outs as I do,” proclaimed Gouker. His play in front of the goal has also allowed him to achieve his major goal entering this season. "Coming into this year I just wanted to play my best and earn the confidence of my teammates,” explained the freshman goalie. Surely he has won his teammates confidence and perhaps earned a little respect for the Behrend soccer program along the way.
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